Family violence prevention strategy launched
14 March 2002 Media Statement
Family violence prevention strategy launched
Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey today launched Te Rito, a new family violence prevention strategy and five-year action plan.
The strategy was developed by the Family Violence Focus Group, an advisory group made up of government and non-government agencies, with significant input from other community stakeholders.
The strategy outlines a number of
actions to be implemented by the end of this year
including:
finalising a policy on how to better
cater for the needs of people affected by family violence
who are seeking help but not using the formal court
process;
establishing a central place where
research and information on family violence will be gathered
and stored to allow easy access to up-to-date information by
communities;
facilitating a Pacific fono so
Pacific peoples can discuss and identify their own solutions
to preventing violence in their communities;
and,
establishing monitoring/accountability
mechanisms to ensure that the strategy is successfully
implemented.
Work is also being undertaken this year to
clearly identify resource and capacity gaps so we can ensure
that we get the best possible use out of both current and
future resources.
Steve Maharey said the government is strongly committed to eliminating family violence and Te Rito provides an excellent starting point for addressing this.
“Family violence is a shocking crime in this country. It directly affects the well being of many New Zealand families/whānau to the extent that they cannot fully participate in society.
“Families/whānau living free from violence is the vision behind the strategy and Te Rito sets out the Government’s key goals, objectives and principles for maximising progress toward this vision.
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“A greater emphasis has been
placed on early intervention and prevention initiatives,
such as raising public awareness of family violence and more
importance is placed on parenting education and school-based
programmes. There is also a strong need to ensure
approaches are culturally relevant and cater for diverse
needs and circumstances.
“The prevention strategy is broad, comprehensive, takes a multi-faceted approach to family violence prevention and goes much further than previous initiatives.
“Te Rito is an excellent example of the extra value gained by seeking community input and working together in partnership with non-government organisations. Building on these relationships as we implement this strategy is vital to its success.
“The current level of Family violence in Aotearoa/New Zealand is unacceptable. The new strategy will take us a big step closer to addressing this serious issue and the government is committed to ensuring that it is successfully implemented,” Steve Maharey said.
ENDS