Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Dads have major role to play

Safety in homes should be a priority for everyone.

I did the march on Saturday with councillors Hunt, Wepa, Gould and MP Todd McClay.

Only a short walk from Pohutukawa Dr to Puketawhero Park on Te Ngae Rd. It was held to promote a caring community with the emphasis on family safety.

Putting whanau first.

There were three billboards unveiled showing fathers with their children. I looked at the billboards and the smiling faces and thought these dads look awesome. We always see pictures of mothers and their children but these billboards are celebrating the role that fathers play in keeping their homes and families safe. In other communities across the city, there are similar initiatives taking place.

Locals want those living in their community to know help is at hand if you need support. They handed out a directory of services that can swing into action when required. Everyone wants to think that when help is needed it can be found just next door or along the street.

This isn't just aimed at vulnerable families. At any time a need could arise and no one should have to sit alone, fearful that a call for help will not be answered. It will. And communities themselves are making a statement when they walk to demonstrate they care.

Safety in homes is a priority for Justice Minister Amy Adams.

Earlier this month, she released a discussion document that looked at making changes to current laws that impact on victims of domestic violence. She wants to ensure our laws are fair but, at the same time, provide adequate support for victims.

That they are not revictimised by having to jump through hoops to get justice. She wants to hear what the public think of the changes being proposed and to make submissions. I'm pleased to see she's also talking about joined-up services.

I do wonder though if the Minister has seen the three major reports that have been undertaken in the past two years. One of which I had direct input into.

It was work carried out at the request of a government department. Not hers. I would like to think she has received a copy to study. All three reports had a significant number of recommendations.

You often hear "oh we have already picked up on that recommendation". But it doesn't appear that anything changes.

When asked, with others who have knowledge and experience of working in this area, to put our thinking caps on and come up with recommendations that would make a difference to reducing domestic violence in this country you do want to believe that your time was not been wasted. Sadly, I now suspect it was. Rarely do you get feedback telling you how well received a report was. Or wasn't for that matter.

Perhaps no feedback signals that it wasn't what the Minister wanted to hear.

But if you're asked to look at the grim reality of living with domestic violence in New Zealand and to see what can be done to improve this shocking state of affairs then it's what the Minister needs to know that you must be prepared to set out in your report.

The people I worked with were definitely not "yes Minister" clones. We all committed our time and put effort into working constructively to recommend many changes, including changes to legislation that will see improved outcomes for victims of domestic violence.

Between the pages of those three reports there is a sufficient body of evidence to inform the recommendations that were made.

We don't need further reports, reviews or discussion documents. We just need to get on and make the necessary changes. There comes a time for action and that time is well overdue.

Let's remember too that the majority of men in this country are doing the best they can to be great husbands, partners and fathers. They are sharing the job of raising their children to be happy, smart and caring.

And the message we got on Saturday was that putting whanau first is a whole of community responsibility. Letting everyone know they have a role to play is important. And fathers have a big role.

Domestic violence is rarely found in a happy home. The billboards showed fathers who care for their own families but are also prepared to play a wider role in promoting awareness of family safety in their local community.

They deserved the big hugs and smiles they received at the park on Saturday.