Information Sharing

The purpose of the information sharing law in the Family Violence Act is to encourage agencies and practitioners to work together to identify, stop, prevent, and respond to family violence.

The information sharing law authorises agencies to release information, but it does not require them to do so.

The information sharing parts of the law refers to a:

• Family violence agency – meaning specified government agencies, social service agencies (NGO’s), school boards, early childhood centres that collects and holds private information about other people.
• Holder agency or practitioner – individual or organisation that holds the information
• Social services practitioner – individual who is providing education, health, or social services.

A family violence agency or social services practitioner can request or disclose personal information about tamariki or whānau if the information will be used to:

1. Contribute to a risk or needs assessment;
2. Make a plan responding to family violence;
3. Protect the victim/s

The agency holding the information may disclose information if it believes on reasonable grounds that disclosure of the information will or may help to achieve the purposes above.

Keeping victims safe from family violence should take priority over any obligation of confidentiality and any limits under the Privacy Act.

Overall, the law authorises the sharing of information where it is intended to identify, stop, prevent, and respond to family violence.

More information about Family Violence

Purpose

Police Safety Order

Protection Order

Interim Care or Contact

Tamariki in Family Violence Proceedings

Information Sharing