Risks of intimate partner violence in prosecuting partners for welfare fraud

Auckland Action Against Poverty have highlighted the risk of increased intimate partner violence resulting from proposed new legislation allowing the prosecution of the partners of people convicted of benefit fraud.

The legislation would mean the partners of people found to have wrongly collected a benefit could be charged and face a fine of up to $5000 or 12 months in jail, as well as their share of the repayments.

The Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill was introduced into Parliament on 20 February 2013.

Media:

'Benefit fraud legislation 'may increase domestic violence'', One News, 21/2/13

'Should the government prosecute spouses of benefit fraudsters?', Radio NZ, 21/2/13

'Fraud investigation measures raise concerns', Stuff, 21/2/13

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