FFF Acknowledgment and Response to The Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2025 Report
Tena koutou,
We extend our sincere appreciation to The Salvation Army for the release of their State of the Nation 2025 Report. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on the ongoing and complex challenges facing Aotearoa, particularly in areas such as family violence, economic hardship, substance abuse, and housing instability.
The report’s findings underscore the urgent need for a holistic, community-led response to address family violence (FV). The statistics serve as a stark reminder that FV remains a significant issue, deeply intertwined with poverty, mental health struggles, and systemic barriers to support.
Key Takeaways
Family Violence Prevalence: The persistent rates of FV indicate that despite efforts, many whanau still experience harm, highlighting the need for more targeted and culturally grounded interventions.
Economic Strain as a Root Cause: Rising living costs, housing instability, and financial stress contribute to the conditions that exacerbate FV. Without addressing these root causes, intervention efforts risk being short-term solutions.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse: The report illustrates how addiction and untreated mental health conditions often coexist with FV, further emphasizing the necessity for integrated support services.
Barriers to Engagement: Many at-risk individuals do not seek help due to stigma, lack of trust in services, and the absence of culturally safe spaces for healing and transformation.
Fathers For Families (FFF): A Holistic Approach to Change
At Fathers For Families (FFF), we recognise these challenges and are actively working to break the cycle of violence through culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and faith-integrated programmes. Our kaupapa aligns with the findings in this report, reinforcing the importance of long-term, holistic intervention strategies.
Our Commitment and Proposed Solutions
Economic and Housing Support Advocacy
Strengthening collaboration with agencies that provide financial literacy education, employment pathways, and emergency housing support to help alleviate stressors that contribute to FV.
Collaborating with agencies offering budgeting and financial planning workshops to help participants gain financial independence and stability.
Strengthening Community-Led Responses
Expanding our Family Violence Intervention Programme, Te Ara Poutama o te Matua Marama, which blends Maori and biblical principles to provide men with a strong foundation for transformation, accountability, and leadership within their whanau and communities.
Increasing engagement with iwi, hapu, and Pacific community leaders to strengthen culturally grounded support systems.
Trauma-Informed Engagement
Developing further resources and workshops that align with the SCI Mindset System (verian) and the Empowerment Triangle (David Emerald - The Power of TED), helping men identify, de-escalate, and transform trauma responses.
Ensuring all facilitators are trained in trauma-informed care to create safer, more supportive environments for participants.
Breaking Barriers to Access
Continuing to provide both in-person and online delivery options, ensuring flexibility for men who face logistical challenges in attending sessions.
Working alongside Family Success Matters, Probation and other referral agencies to ensure that men in the justice system or facing legal barriers can access intervention and prevention services.
Conclusion
The State of the Nation 2025 Report reinforces what we at Fathers For Families have observed—lasting change requires a whole-of-society approach. Family violence does not exist in isolation; it is interconnected with economic hardship, mental health struggles, and social disconnection. We acknowledge the mahi of The Salvation Army and other organizations working tirelessly to create safer, healthier whanau.
At FFF, we remain committed to a whanau-centered, culturally informed, and faith-integrated approach that not only intervenes in cycles of harm but empowers men to become leaders in healing and transformation. We look forward to continued collaboration with sector partners, government agencies, and community leaders to turn these insights into actionable, impactful change. Together, we can create a future where every whanau thrives, free from violence and harm.
Nga manaakitanga,
Team Fathers For Families (FFF)