The Family Violence Amendment Act comes into effect today. Strangulation, coerced marriage and assault on a person in a family relationship will now be recognised as offences.
Under the new law, the act of strangulation of a family member will carry a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment. Strangulation is one of the most common assaults in family relationships but has been difficult to distinguish under the Crimes Act.
Speaking to Q + A , Justice Under-Secretary Jan Logie said, "one million New Zealanders are directly affected by family violence".
"We know that too many, particularly women and children, are dying as a result of this violence and we need to come together to turn that around".