Vine Quick Reads: 21 August 2026

Vine Quick Reads: 21 August 2026

Welcome to our Quick Reads format. Each week we share selected news bites relevant to family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa.

Report on pathways through the criminal justice system for victims of sexual violence published by Ministry of Justice

Te Tāhū o te Ture | Ministry of Justice has published their fourth annual Progression of reported sexual assaults through the criminal justice system: sexual assaults reported to Police, April 2017-2025 (2026). In this report, police operational data is linked with court data to track outcomes and time taken through investigations and court processes. This report shows victims’ pathways through the criminal justice system, rather than perpetrators. A diagrammatic representation of the progression was released alongside the report. For more research from the Ministry, see Family violence and sexual violence research.

New report: Misogyny, Online Radicalisation, and Youth Extremism in Australia

The University of Melbourne has published Misogyny, Online Radicalisation, and Youth Extremism in Australia (2026). This report details the findings of a research project into misogyny and youth radicalisation in Australia and presents evidence-based policy recommendations. For an overview, see One in three teen boys believe giving women equal opportunities has gone too far.

New framework on preventing elder abuse

The Victoria State Government has released Respecting and valuing older people: Victoria’s Primary Prevention of Elder Abuse Framework. The framework is comprised of a handbook and a companion guide and features:

• four key themes for action - respect, intergenerational connection, inclusion and gender equality
• principles for prevention
• examples of practical actions across society
• examples of settings and population groups to consider targeting when designing actions.

The framework also addresses ageism and gender inequality, alongside other intersecting forms of discrimination.

Report on eyewitness identification evidence released by Criminal Cases Review Commission

Te Kāhui Tātari Ture | Criminal Cases Review Commission has released a new systemic issues report, Eyewitness Identification Evidence in Aotearoa | New Zealand (2026). This report presents the findings and recommendations from the Commission’s inquiry into the potential for miscarriages of justice resulting from eyewitness identification. For an overview, see RNZ’s, Overhaul of eyewitness identification laws needed to ‘mitigate harm’ – Commissioner.

UN call for input on prison overcrowding

The United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment is seeking input to aid in the development of a technical guide on practical measures to reduce and prevent prison overcrowding. The guide will seek to identify measures that are effective and adaptable to different contexts, and to provide practical guidance concerning their implementation. The consultation page includes a set of key questions, including on reducing entry into prison, groups disproportionately affected and the social drivers of imprisonment.

Consultation closes 30 September 2026.

Ministry for Ethnic Communities launches new Community Resilience Hub

Te Tari Mātāwaka | Ministry for Ethnic Communities has a lunched the new Community Resilience to Foreign Interference Hub. The Hub will contain trusted information, practical resources and tools that help communities understand foreign interference risks and respond in ways that work for them. For more, see the Ministry’s media release.