Economic violence

Last week's UNICEF child report caused a political storm. There were statements from nearly all political parties and child advocates. I missed this from the Maori Party. Here's a few words from Tariana Turia;

“It is obvious from the plethora of research linking economic violence to family crises, that the depths of extreme poverty and severe hardship amongst families are placing us in the lower ranks of developed countries”.

Economic violence. What does that mean? It's a term often used by feminists to describe violence practiced by men against women. In concrete terms this is what the Women's Refuge describes as economic violence;

Economic violence is about:

• Stealing your money and belongings
• Controlling the money so you don't have a say
• Giving you an “allowance” that doesn't cover the bills while they spend all the money on themselves
• Checking all your receipts and the mileage on the car
• Keeping your money card and bank book
• Refusing to pay child support, or be named as the father
• Using your name for loans, credit cards, WINZ grants so that you get the debt
• Forcing you to sign a ‘prenuptial agreement'
• Forcing you to work
• Forcing you to sell drugs, or steal
• Making you go on the benefit illegally
• Not letting you go out to work or study
• Not letting you have your name on the house and other property.

Some of the effects of economic violence for women and children are:
• Poverty
• Not having food, clothes, money for doctors, phone, transport, furniture etc.
• Debt
• Bad credit rating
• Can't rent a flat, get a loan, get the power or phone on because previous bills were unpaid
• Criminal record and fines
• No access to money to enable them to leave
• Not being able to have a career or study
• Unwanted involvement in illegal activities
• Plus all the effects of psychological violence.

But, based on the way Tariana's mind works, I don't think this is quite what she meant. At least not the same parties.

Here is an earlier explanation from her;

Economic violence is when people are impoverished by being deprived of access to power and resources, putting human dignity at danger.

My question is, who is Tariana Turia blaming now? Exactly who are the perpetrators of economic violence? Is it men, is it government or is it colonisers?

If there is a problem with children the place to start is with their parents or whanau.