The Stopping Violence work programme seeks to:
strengthen the accountability mechanisms that hold people with violent behaviour responsible for their behaviour,
and provide the right intervention and service to change violent behaviour.
Stalking and harassment is now a crime, providing strengthened protections for anyone who experiences this behaviour
Stalking and harassment is now recognised in law as a separate criminal offence and carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
The law focuses on patterns of behaviour so that victims can be protected earlier, before harm escalates.
If you are part of the family violence or sexual violence workforce, there is information available here(external link) to help you.
If you’re a victim-survivor of stalking, or supporting someone who is, get information here(external link)
Help is available here(external link) for anyone concerned their behaviour is causing harm.
Visit Stalking and harassment | New Zealand Police(external link) for more information.
Review of the Stopping Violence System
The Strengthening the Stopping Violence System Report provides an evidence-based review of current government-funded, community-based interventions for people who use violence and identifies opportunities to strengthen the system.
This Review forms part of the delivery of the Stopping Violence priority in Te Aorerekura Action Plan (2025-2030).
The Review builds the Executive Board’s understanding of what’s needed to ensure this part of the system is effective.
The Review recommends stronger system leadership and coordination, supported by a joint work programme. It also recommends sustained investment in Kaupapa Māori services, strengthened workforce capability, and increased focus on prevention and early intervention to drive long-term system improvement.
Victim-survivors contributed their views through the Backbone Collective, whose report(external link) informed the government's Review.
Strengthening the Stopping Violence System report:
If you have questions or feedback, please email contact@preventfvsv.govt.nz
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