Photo: befunky.com
New in-depth research into the experience of single parents paints a picture of discrimination and stigma, with many saying when they asked government agencies for protection, they ended up being investigated.
The research was commissioned by the Peter McKenzie Project, a key programme of the philanthropic JR McKenzie Trust, and conducted by Ngati Kahungunu and the research organisation, Project Gender.
3500 single parents were surveyed last year. 67 per cent of low income single mothers said they had been treated unfairly or discriminated against - 32 per cent said this had been at the hands of Work and Income.
Two thirds of those surveyed had experienced family violence, but said when they sought support from government agencies, instead of being protected, they were often investigated.
Single parents also reported discrimination by landlords, employers, Real Estate Agents and schools.
Kathryn speaks with one of the report authors, Tania Domett.
