United Nations Calls "Shocking" Treatment of Women in New Zealand Family Court System | 1 NEWS

Ms. Blue has just returned from a UN committee. They were shocked by the experiences of Kiwi women in the family court

"I supported the call for the creation of a special rapporteur on violence against women in New Caledonia. Zealand, "she said. , The Backbone Collective, has collected hundreds of stories of women in the system.

Deborah Mckenzie, co-founder of the spine, says many women are verbally abused

"The stories we heard resembled a Dickens novel. Were abused by judges, lawyers and psychologists. Alarmingly, most women said that their experiences of violence and abuse were not believed, "says Ms. Mckenzie.

Jackie Blue says there are stories of feeling that they have been revictimized and punished, and of judicial decisions being She says that a multi-party approach is needed to combat the shocking rate of domestic violence and the treatment of women in New Zealand.

National made reforms to the Family Court in 2014 and the current Minister of Justice, Andrew Little, has

Mr. Little says that there are a lot of voices that say things do not do not work.

"We have no specific proposals. I think what's important is to have people who can take a look at it, "he said.

Deborah Mckenzie says that a review is not enough – she wants a royal commission to investigate. Abuse of women by the Family Court has been around for so long that a full investigation and accountability is needed.

It will be decided at the beginning of the week whether the UN will send a special investigator

M. Little says that if they come here they will be supported

"They have a job to do to report to international human rights bodies."

Whatever the case may be, the government review will go forward – with the results expected next year.