For all sexual offences, the conviction rate was slightly higher, at 44 percent. The Crime and Victims Survey data also showed family violence offences were at a five-year high, with more than 30,000 recorded in 2020. Family violence offences charges increased by eight percent last year, despite a decrease of one percent for overall crime. These offences included a number of crimes such as domestic assault, sexual violence against a spouse and coercion to marry. A domestic violence service provider says an increase in family violence offences cannot solely be blamed on the pandemic.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 04, 2021 04:41 UTC