A man has been charged with strangulation following a family harm incident in Auckland on Monday.
Police say the 21-year-old man from Counties Manukau appeared in Manukau District Court yesterday and has been remanded to reappear on 20 December 2018.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Ellwood says the arrest is the first under the new family violence legislation that was introduced on Monday.
"The fact it has been used so soon after being introduced shows how important this new legislation will be in preventing family harm and keeping our community safe.
"We know that strangulation is a serious risk marker in family harm situations.
"There is obviously significant risk to victims, and it is often a precursor for more serious violence, including homicide.
"This new offence carries a maximum 7 year sentence, reflecting the seriousness of this type of offending."
The new family violence legislation includes new law meaning that victims of family violence offending will be entitled to have their victim video statements played in court. The victim in this case also gave a video statement.
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