Elizabeth Stanley

Guest writer

Dr Elizabeth Stanley is the director of the Institute of Criminology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. She is the author of ‘The Road to Hell: State Violence against Children in Postwar New Zealand’', which charts the experiences of 105 victims of institutional abuse and sets out a framework for a ‘Commission of Recognition, Repair and Prevention’.

(Image: The Spinoff)

Why a radical approach is needed to fix our broken justice system

Criminology professor Elizabeth Stanley on a criminal justice programme that centralises communities and indigenous voices as experts.

By Elizabeth Stanley | 14th September, 2020

Photo: MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images

How expressions of white supremacy seep through our society

Sustaining the colonising order has depended on rich narratives that invoke racialised fears and perpetuate myths of Pakeha superiority

By Elizabeth Stanley | 21st March, 2019

Revictimisation is a real risk in a state care abuse inquiry. Here is how to avoid it

Revictimisation is a real risk in a state care abuse inquiry. Here is how to avoid it

Around the world, there are many abuse victims who have been saddened, angered or re-victimised from inquiry processes. These are the lessons for New Zealand, writes criminologist Elizabeth Stanley.

By Elizabeth Stanley | 18th November, 2017

‘Risk prevention’ just won’t wash. Torture in prisons is torture, and we need to act now

‘Risk prevention’ just won’t wash. Torture in prisons is torture, and we need to act now

The use of 'degrading' and 'dehumanising' restraints in New Zealand prisons has been found by the Ombudsman's Office to breach the UN Convention on Torture. This is no time to be making excuses, writes Elizabeth Stanley.

By Elizabeth Stanley | 6th March, 2017

Paremoremo Maxium Security Prison, Albany. Photo: David Hallett/Getty Images

Lock ’em up and throw away the solutions that might actually work

The extra billions being poured into police and prisons would surely be far better spent on demonstrably effective social policies, writes criminologist Elizabeth Stanley.

By Elizabeth Stanley | 13th February, 2017

Decades of brutality in our name, and Key and Tolley cover their ears – nothing to see here

Decades of brutality in our name, and Key and Tolley cover their ears – nothing to see here

The refusal to mount an independent inquiry on behalf of those who suffered horrendous physical, sexual and psychological abuse in state care is staggering, writes Elizabeth Stanley.

By Elizabeth Stanley | 5th December, 2016