Dynamics of Dissent: Theorizing Movements for Inclusive Futures - M Chakravorty, C Clammer, M Bussey & T Banerjee (eds), Routledge, 2020
In this chapter, I examine two social movements as they involved young women seeking to create ne... more In this chapter, I examine two social movements as they involved young women seeking to create new paths in Wellington, New Zealand in the 1990s: the Young Women’s Division of Soka Gakkai International New Zealand (SGINZ), a lay Buddhist movement; and the radical lesbian feminist movement. I was an active participant in both movements, thus the chapter is autoethnographic, distilling insights from the perspective of a Complete Member Researcher (CMR). For each movement, I analyse the motivations for young women’s involvement, the type of revolutionary change sought, and the approach to organisation. I determine that the lesbian feminist movement of the 1990s was ‘of its time’: a flotilla lashed temporarily together to explore and create landing spaces in barely charted waters. It unleashed an outpouring of radically transgressive energy that transformed young women’s lives and the social landscape, but it struggled to support all its members in the face of internal schisms. The Young Women’s Division of the Soka Gakkai International, in contrast, existed within a tightly designed organisational structure based on deep historic roots, that carefully directed participants’ energies to enhance their self-development, grow
the organisation, and transform wider society. The SGINZ did not confront political oppression head-on, but rather gave young women opportunities to undertake their ‘human revolution’ with a view to contributing to social change. The overlap of the membership of these two groups suggests that individuals may be drawn to more than one model. Looking back, from a relatively near future, it is clear that social movements work in mysterious ways, with at times unexpected results.
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the organisation, and transform wider society. The SGINZ did not confront political oppression head-on, but rather gave young women opportunities to undertake their ‘human revolution’ with a view to contributing to social change. The overlap of the membership of these two groups suggests that individuals may be drawn to more than one model. Looking back, from a relatively near future, it is clear that social movements work in mysterious ways, with at times unexpected results.
To address family violence, data-driven and evidence based primary prevention programmes are recommended (Garcia-Moreno & Mikton, 2010). Yet despite New Zealand’s, generally sound legislative framework for dealing with family violence, there has been a lack of evaluation of the effectiveness of programmes and services (Fenrich & Contesse, 2009).
The DOVE Research Project came about after discussions between DOVE Hawkes Bay (DOVE) and the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT). Given the high levels of family violence in Hawke’s Bay, DOVE and EIT believed it was important to undertake research into the efficacy of DOVE’s family violence intervention services, and in particular, whether DOVE’s services were resulting in long-lasting positive changes for individuals, families and whānau. Collection of research data focused particularly on the six months 1 July – 31 December 2011.
The project research questions were:
• Do DOVE’s intervention and education programmes make a difference for participants (protagonists and victims) and their whānau?
• If so, what difference and for whom?
The research investigated common features that lead to positive outcomes across services, unique features of particular programmes or interventions, effectiveness for particular client groups, and aspects of services that could be improved or expanded.
A mixed quantitative and qualitative method was used. The quantitative data included a three-year statistical overview, as well as analysis of service use data from 1 July-31 December 2011. Interview data was collected from men, women and youth clients; DOVE staff and external stakeholders. In addition, a number of narratives were collected and collated from individuals who had used DOVE’s services, tracing their journeys with violence, working with DOVE and changes made to reduce family violence in their lives.
The research found that attendance at DOVE is a result of multiple factors, including presence of violence, involvement in criminal and family justice systems, motivation for change and service accessibility. DOVE clients’ backgrounds span a socio-economic and cultural range. In the period 2008 -2010:
• DOVE had over 1900 client enrolments
• 60% of clients were male and 40% female
• 47% of clients were European, 32 % Māori and 7 % Pacific, 12 % did not state an ethnicity
• Clients were predominantly between mid-20s and 40 years old. The most common client age was 32 - 33 years
• Men’s Service clients were referred from the Community Probation Service, referred from the Family Court and self-referred in roughly equal numbers. In contrast, in the period 1 July – 31 December 2011, 88% of women attending DOVE were self referred. Nine per cent were referred by the Family Court and 3% by the Community Probations Service. In the period 1 July – 31 December 2011, schools and agencies accounted for 41% of youth referrals, followed by 18% from CYF, 17% self-referrals, 14% from family and 7% from friends.
A number of both female and male clients were grappling with issues that complicated attempts to become free of family violence, including high levels of past trauma, and alcohol and other drug issues. Enrolments increased with level of socio-economic deprivation, and were especially high for those living in decile 10 areas (the most deprived, as measured by NZDEP Index (Salmond, Crampton & Atkinson, 2007).
The research data showed that DOVE makes a worthwhile and positive contribution to the safety of Hawke’s Bay families. Triangulation of findings from multiple data sources indicated that DOVE helped to address family violence in the Hawke’s Bay by providing male and female perpetrators with effective tools to reduce their violent or abusive behaviour, offering support and education to female victims, and providing education and counselling to youth affected by family violence or anger management issues. Family violence is a complex issue requiring a multi-dimensional response. DOVE provides this through services including group and individual programmes for men, women and youth; individual support services, nurturing the development of a Pacific Men’s service, interagency collaboration and other efforts. The holistic, personalised and flexible aspects of DOVE’s service provision were extremely highly valued by clients and stakeholders. This included some individual services, support to overcome barriers to attending programmes, and the provision of individual programmes. The transformation these programmes and services supported in individuals’ and families’ lives appeared to be one of DOVE’s greatest strengths.
Participants in DOVE’s group programmes can find the process challenging. A single DOVE programme was not always sufficient to transform a family’s situation so as to eliminate family violence for them. Living without violence was an on-going challenge for some. Nevertheless, as a result of DOVE’s services, there are individuals, family and whānau whose lives were enhanced because they had developed strategies and behaviours to deal with anger and model non-violent behaviours to their children. For those who had experienced family violence, DOVE gave them opportunities to take control of their lives and move past previous situations of victimisation.
DOVE’s Men’s Services focus on men as perpetrators of family violence. Psycho-educational group programmes appeared to make a positive difference for many participants. Many men rated tools such as: stop, time out, and acknowledging warning signs as highlights of their learning. Two highly regarded elements of DOVE’s services for men were the provision of programmes in prison, and the Pacific Programme.
DOVE’s Women’s Services focus on women as both victims and perpetrators. Women reported that after attending DOVE they were safer and there was less violence in their homes than prior to attending. Women also indicated that they had improved self esteem and confidence, that they had different ideas about what was acceptable in relationships, and that they have made positive changes in their domestic relationships and their social support networks. Women attending group programmes found the support of other women in similar situations beneficial.
Youth Services focused on young people as perpetrators and victims of family violence and anger issues. These were highly regarded by stakeholders. In addition, the Safemates Programme delivered in schools was highly valued by school stakeholders and students interviewed. Its success relied firstly on the rapport built by DOVE facilitators, then on the content and presentation style. A great deal of concern was expressed at DOVE’s subsequent winding down of the Youth Service.
DOVE services were generally described as respectful towards Māori. Specific philosophical underpinnings and practices that helped Māori participants to feel respected were whakawhānaungatanga; manaakitanga; the appropriate use of karakia, mihi and pepeha; and the gifting of koha. Nevertheless, in the 6 month study period, 1 July – 31 December 2011, completion rates for Māori clients were lower than for non-Māori. Given that Māori commenced using DOVE services at higher rates than non-Māori, it is worth considering whether there is more DOVE could do to ensure Māori receive culturally suitable services. The individual services provided by suitably skilled staff were most able to be provided to Māori in culturally authentic ways.
A significant proportion of clients of the Men’s and Women’s Services were parents, and their children had been affected by family violence. There was evidence that negative effects on children of family violence were reduced through DOVE’s work with their parents. In addition, children were a powerful motivation for change for both men and women.
DOVE successfully addressed many barriers to participation. Nevertheless, barriers to access remained, particularly around transport, timing of group programmes and venues. In the three-years from 2008-2010, the estimated programme completion rate was just over 71%. Women were more likely to complete than men. Participants in both Men’s and Women’s Programmes may be excluded if they miss more than two sessions. Participants who are late for a session may be marked ‘absent’. This can create barriers to programme completion. Funding frameworks may create barriers by working against flexible, holistic or collaborative approaches and creating perverse incentives in service provision.
Building trusting relationships with staff was essential to clients’ engagement. A great deal of evidence was recorded of positive relationships with DOVE staff, who were seen to have good rapport and be empathetic, calming, professional and authentic. DOVE was held in very high regard in the community as experts in family violence prevention. The organisation played an essential role in community collaboration, including active engagement on interagency initiatives.
The research report concludes with recommendations to maintain and enhance the effectiveness and scope of DOVE’s services.
partners with whom they had a violent relationship while others had moved on.
Transforming family violence is complex and multi-stranded. Within each story threads of despair and hurt, anger and brokenness are juxtaposed with possibility and potential, achievement and strength in the face of overwhelmingly difficult circumstances. These stories illustrate the complexity of opportunity and transformation for people dealing with family violence. Is the opportunity presented by engaging with a family violence intervention service simply one of survival or is there hope for greater growth? What turns a crisis into an opportunity for transformation in the most personal of situations – intimate partner violence? When can we confidently say that transformation has taken place? How do external systems – the Police, criminal justice and family protection
proceedings – help or hinder change? Data collected from other strands of the DOVE Research Project, including stakeholder interviews and statistical analysis of programme data, indicate that connecting with a family violence intervention service in the aftermath of a family violence crisis has the potential to create opportunities for familial growth and transformation. This chapter presents three stories which use the participants’ own words to illustrate the transformative struggle.
Key Words: Family violence, narrative research, DOVE, intervention service, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, prevention, transformation, anger management, alcohol, assault, child protection, whānau, own words, Hawke’s Bay.
Institute of Technology (EIT) in 2012 as a result of an
approach from Work and Income, Ministry of Social
Development. The Project targeted people with
sole responsibility for children who were registered
at the Work and Income Flaxmere and Gisborne
Service Centres. These were predominantly Māori
populations.
The project was evaluated through focus group
discussions (FGD), interviews, and outcomes analysis,
which showed it was a success in achieving its
targeted outcomes to an ‘excellent’ level. Data also
indicated the inDep Project raised participants’
confidence and hauora hinengaro.
Government requires increasing numbers of sole
parents to actively seek training or employment. In
this context, it may be useful to bear in mind the key
design principles found to be associated with the
inDep Project’s success, namely
■ Acknowledging participants’ tino rangatiratanga
by seeking advice from the target cohort about
their realities and aspirations prior to project design
■ Appointing a facilitator with skills, authenticity and
motivational strengths
■ Embedding whakawhānaungatanga throughout
the project
■ Exercising manaakitanga towards participants at
all stages from design through to implementation,
including being mindful of practicalities of
childcare and poverty
■ Building kotahitanga among participants, for
example by travelling together in search of work
placements, and supporting one another
■ Embracing principles of adult learning and
teaching, including maintaining internal flexibility
to respond to participant directions
■ Acknowledging and respecting parenting roles.
The Me Noho Takatū Pilot Project1 developed a picture book Te Hīkoi a Rūaumoko / Rūaumoko’s Walk to support Early Childhood Education (ECE) kaiako/teachers to engage with tamariki/children and their whānau/families about earthquakes and tsunami. Kaiako/teachers and whānau/families at the services evaluated were positive about its impact. Although there was reasonable prior awareness of what to do in an earthquake in these services, the project reinforced and refined knowledge. Emergency planning was discussed and simplified for each service, and tamariki/children became aware and confident about what to do. The occurrence of two earthquakes during the project offered an opportunity for this learning to be demonstrated and reinforced.
There was little prior awareness of tsunami, and the project represented an important learning curve for services and their kaiako/teachers. As a result, they were embarking on significant emergency preparation activities with their whānau/families and communities.
The level of community development arising from the project was noteworthy, and involved sharing with other ECE services, as well as with a local school. Two services reported visits from the Emergency Management Officer (EMO) as highlights. A visit by the EMO did not occur at the third service. The services felt that the EMO visit was a crucial aspect to developing confidence and knowledge about their hazards and how to plan for them. Feedback suggests that to be successful the rollout needs to ensure that relevant face-to-face support is available.
Services were generally positive about the book. The traditional epistemological basis for the story was appreciated, and seen as engaging and appropriate for the age group. A few families in English-medium services wanted to ensure that tamariki also gained an introduction to scientific concepts about earthquakes. The bilingual book worked well for both Māori and English medium services.
Keywords: manaakitanga, whakawhanaungatanga, professional integrity, authenticity,
family violence
how we as societies ‘do’ children’s rights. Both works seek to go beyond the intellectual and physical confines of the Global North and address their material from global stances.
the organisation, and transform wider society. The SGINZ did not confront political oppression head-on, but rather gave young women opportunities to undertake their ‘human revolution’ with a view to contributing to social change. The overlap of the membership of these two groups suggests that individuals may be drawn to more than one model. Looking back, from a relatively near future, it is clear that social movements work in mysterious ways, with at times unexpected results.
To address family violence, data-driven and evidence based primary prevention programmes are recommended (Garcia-Moreno & Mikton, 2010). Yet despite New Zealand’s, generally sound legislative framework for dealing with family violence, there has been a lack of evaluation of the effectiveness of programmes and services (Fenrich & Contesse, 2009).
The DOVE Research Project came about after discussions between DOVE Hawkes Bay (DOVE) and the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT). Given the high levels of family violence in Hawke’s Bay, DOVE and EIT believed it was important to undertake research into the efficacy of DOVE’s family violence intervention services, and in particular, whether DOVE’s services were resulting in long-lasting positive changes for individuals, families and whānau. Collection of research data focused particularly on the six months 1 July – 31 December 2011.
The project research questions were:
• Do DOVE’s intervention and education programmes make a difference for participants (protagonists and victims) and their whānau?
• If so, what difference and for whom?
The research investigated common features that lead to positive outcomes across services, unique features of particular programmes or interventions, effectiveness for particular client groups, and aspects of services that could be improved or expanded.
A mixed quantitative and qualitative method was used. The quantitative data included a three-year statistical overview, as well as analysis of service use data from 1 July-31 December 2011. Interview data was collected from men, women and youth clients; DOVE staff and external stakeholders. In addition, a number of narratives were collected and collated from individuals who had used DOVE’s services, tracing their journeys with violence, working with DOVE and changes made to reduce family violence in their lives.
The research found that attendance at DOVE is a result of multiple factors, including presence of violence, involvement in criminal and family justice systems, motivation for change and service accessibility. DOVE clients’ backgrounds span a socio-economic and cultural range. In the period 2008 -2010:
• DOVE had over 1900 client enrolments
• 60% of clients were male and 40% female
• 47% of clients were European, 32 % Māori and 7 % Pacific, 12 % did not state an ethnicity
• Clients were predominantly between mid-20s and 40 years old. The most common client age was 32 - 33 years
• Men’s Service clients were referred from the Community Probation Service, referred from the Family Court and self-referred in roughly equal numbers. In contrast, in the period 1 July – 31 December 2011, 88% of women attending DOVE were self referred. Nine per cent were referred by the Family Court and 3% by the Community Probations Service. In the period 1 July – 31 December 2011, schools and agencies accounted for 41% of youth referrals, followed by 18% from CYF, 17% self-referrals, 14% from family and 7% from friends.
A number of both female and male clients were grappling with issues that complicated attempts to become free of family violence, including high levels of past trauma, and alcohol and other drug issues. Enrolments increased with level of socio-economic deprivation, and were especially high for those living in decile 10 areas (the most deprived, as measured by NZDEP Index (Salmond, Crampton & Atkinson, 2007).
The research data showed that DOVE makes a worthwhile and positive contribution to the safety of Hawke’s Bay families. Triangulation of findings from multiple data sources indicated that DOVE helped to address family violence in the Hawke’s Bay by providing male and female perpetrators with effective tools to reduce their violent or abusive behaviour, offering support and education to female victims, and providing education and counselling to youth affected by family violence or anger management issues. Family violence is a complex issue requiring a multi-dimensional response. DOVE provides this through services including group and individual programmes for men, women and youth; individual support services, nurturing the development of a Pacific Men’s service, interagency collaboration and other efforts. The holistic, personalised and flexible aspects of DOVE’s service provision were extremely highly valued by clients and stakeholders. This included some individual services, support to overcome barriers to attending programmes, and the provision of individual programmes. The transformation these programmes and services supported in individuals’ and families’ lives appeared to be one of DOVE’s greatest strengths.
Participants in DOVE’s group programmes can find the process challenging. A single DOVE programme was not always sufficient to transform a family’s situation so as to eliminate family violence for them. Living without violence was an on-going challenge for some. Nevertheless, as a result of DOVE’s services, there are individuals, family and whānau whose lives were enhanced because they had developed strategies and behaviours to deal with anger and model non-violent behaviours to their children. For those who had experienced family violence, DOVE gave them opportunities to take control of their lives and move past previous situations of victimisation.
DOVE’s Men’s Services focus on men as perpetrators of family violence. Psycho-educational group programmes appeared to make a positive difference for many participants. Many men rated tools such as: stop, time out, and acknowledging warning signs as highlights of their learning. Two highly regarded elements of DOVE’s services for men were the provision of programmes in prison, and the Pacific Programme.
DOVE’s Women’s Services focus on women as both victims and perpetrators. Women reported that after attending DOVE they were safer and there was less violence in their homes than prior to attending. Women also indicated that they had improved self esteem and confidence, that they had different ideas about what was acceptable in relationships, and that they have made positive changes in their domestic relationships and their social support networks. Women attending group programmes found the support of other women in similar situations beneficial.
Youth Services focused on young people as perpetrators and victims of family violence and anger issues. These were highly regarded by stakeholders. In addition, the Safemates Programme delivered in schools was highly valued by school stakeholders and students interviewed. Its success relied firstly on the rapport built by DOVE facilitators, then on the content and presentation style. A great deal of concern was expressed at DOVE’s subsequent winding down of the Youth Service.
DOVE services were generally described as respectful towards Māori. Specific philosophical underpinnings and practices that helped Māori participants to feel respected were whakawhānaungatanga; manaakitanga; the appropriate use of karakia, mihi and pepeha; and the gifting of koha. Nevertheless, in the 6 month study period, 1 July – 31 December 2011, completion rates for Māori clients were lower than for non-Māori. Given that Māori commenced using DOVE services at higher rates than non-Māori, it is worth considering whether there is more DOVE could do to ensure Māori receive culturally suitable services. The individual services provided by suitably skilled staff were most able to be provided to Māori in culturally authentic ways.
A significant proportion of clients of the Men’s and Women’s Services were parents, and their children had been affected by family violence. There was evidence that negative effects on children of family violence were reduced through DOVE’s work with their parents. In addition, children were a powerful motivation for change for both men and women.
DOVE successfully addressed many barriers to participation. Nevertheless, barriers to access remained, particularly around transport, timing of group programmes and venues. In the three-years from 2008-2010, the estimated programme completion rate was just over 71%. Women were more likely to complete than men. Participants in both Men’s and Women’s Programmes may be excluded if they miss more than two sessions. Participants who are late for a session may be marked ‘absent’. This can create barriers to programme completion. Funding frameworks may create barriers by working against flexible, holistic or collaborative approaches and creating perverse incentives in service provision.
Building trusting relationships with staff was essential to clients’ engagement. A great deal of evidence was recorded of positive relationships with DOVE staff, who were seen to have good rapport and be empathetic, calming, professional and authentic. DOVE was held in very high regard in the community as experts in family violence prevention. The organisation played an essential role in community collaboration, including active engagement on interagency initiatives.
The research report concludes with recommendations to maintain and enhance the effectiveness and scope of DOVE’s services.
partners with whom they had a violent relationship while others had moved on.
Transforming family violence is complex and multi-stranded. Within each story threads of despair and hurt, anger and brokenness are juxtaposed with possibility and potential, achievement and strength in the face of overwhelmingly difficult circumstances. These stories illustrate the complexity of opportunity and transformation for people dealing with family violence. Is the opportunity presented by engaging with a family violence intervention service simply one of survival or is there hope for greater growth? What turns a crisis into an opportunity for transformation in the most personal of situations – intimate partner violence? When can we confidently say that transformation has taken place? How do external systems – the Police, criminal justice and family protection
proceedings – help or hinder change? Data collected from other strands of the DOVE Research Project, including stakeholder interviews and statistical analysis of programme data, indicate that connecting with a family violence intervention service in the aftermath of a family violence crisis has the potential to create opportunities for familial growth and transformation. This chapter presents three stories which use the participants’ own words to illustrate the transformative struggle.
Key Words: Family violence, narrative research, DOVE, intervention service, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, prevention, transformation, anger management, alcohol, assault, child protection, whānau, own words, Hawke’s Bay.
Institute of Technology (EIT) in 2012 as a result of an
approach from Work and Income, Ministry of Social
Development. The Project targeted people with
sole responsibility for children who were registered
at the Work and Income Flaxmere and Gisborne
Service Centres. These were predominantly Māori
populations.
The project was evaluated through focus group
discussions (FGD), interviews, and outcomes analysis,
which showed it was a success in achieving its
targeted outcomes to an ‘excellent’ level. Data also
indicated the inDep Project raised participants’
confidence and hauora hinengaro.
Government requires increasing numbers of sole
parents to actively seek training or employment. In
this context, it may be useful to bear in mind the key
design principles found to be associated with the
inDep Project’s success, namely
■ Acknowledging participants’ tino rangatiratanga
by seeking advice from the target cohort about
their realities and aspirations prior to project design
■ Appointing a facilitator with skills, authenticity and
motivational strengths
■ Embedding whakawhānaungatanga throughout
the project
■ Exercising manaakitanga towards participants at
all stages from design through to implementation,
including being mindful of practicalities of
childcare and poverty
■ Building kotahitanga among participants, for
example by travelling together in search of work
placements, and supporting one another
■ Embracing principles of adult learning and
teaching, including maintaining internal flexibility
to respond to participant directions
■ Acknowledging and respecting parenting roles.
The Me Noho Takatū Pilot Project1 developed a picture book Te Hīkoi a Rūaumoko / Rūaumoko’s Walk to support Early Childhood Education (ECE) kaiako/teachers to engage with tamariki/children and their whānau/families about earthquakes and tsunami. Kaiako/teachers and whānau/families at the services evaluated were positive about its impact. Although there was reasonable prior awareness of what to do in an earthquake in these services, the project reinforced and refined knowledge. Emergency planning was discussed and simplified for each service, and tamariki/children became aware and confident about what to do. The occurrence of two earthquakes during the project offered an opportunity for this learning to be demonstrated and reinforced.
There was little prior awareness of tsunami, and the project represented an important learning curve for services and their kaiako/teachers. As a result, they were embarking on significant emergency preparation activities with their whānau/families and communities.
The level of community development arising from the project was noteworthy, and involved sharing with other ECE services, as well as with a local school. Two services reported visits from the Emergency Management Officer (EMO) as highlights. A visit by the EMO did not occur at the third service. The services felt that the EMO visit was a crucial aspect to developing confidence and knowledge about their hazards and how to plan for them. Feedback suggests that to be successful the rollout needs to ensure that relevant face-to-face support is available.
Services were generally positive about the book. The traditional epistemological basis for the story was appreciated, and seen as engaging and appropriate for the age group. A few families in English-medium services wanted to ensure that tamariki also gained an introduction to scientific concepts about earthquakes. The bilingual book worked well for both Māori and English medium services.
Keywords: manaakitanga, whakawhanaungatanga, professional integrity, authenticity,
family violence
how we as societies ‘do’ children’s rights. Both works seek to go beyond the intellectual and physical confines of the Global North and address their material from global stances.