Multi-Party Working Group supports Children's Day
Sent on behalf of the Multi-Party Working Group on
Family Violence:
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Media Release
2 March 2008
Multi-Party Working Group supports
Children's Day
The Multi-Party Working Group on Family
Violence is giving its full backing
to this year’s
Children’s Day.
Thousands of families will take part in
events across New Zealand on Sunday
March 2nd to see
children celebrated, nurtured and treasured by
all.
“Children’s Day provides a focus for giving time,
praise and encouragement
and highlights the importance of
valuing children,” said Social Development
Minister
Ruth Dyson, Chair of the Multi-Party Working Group on
Family
Violence.
In 2005 the Police recorded 56,380
family violence incidents at which
around 65,000 children
were present. Partner abuse and child abuse are
linked
– child abuse cannot be prevented without addressing the
violence
that goes on between adults in New Zealand
families.
“The Multi-Party Working Group supports the
community groups and
organisations involved in making the
day a success, as part of its shared
commitment to
working together for the well-being of children
and
families,” said Ruth Dyson.
The Multi-Party
Working Group on Family Violence is chaired by
Social
Development Minister Ruth Dyson and consists of
the following Members of
Parliament:
Parekura Horomia,
Minister of Maori Affairs,
Steve Chadwick, Minister of
Women’s Affairs, Chairperson of the Open
Hearing into
the Prevention of Violence against Women and Children
Jim
Anderton, Progressive Party
Sue Bradford, Green
Party
Heather Roy, ACT Party
Barbara Stewart, NZ First
Party
Tariana Turia, Maori Party
Judy Turner, United
Future Party
National Party members withdrew from the
group in September 2006 and were
invited to rejoin in
August 2007 but the invitation was declined.
The Group
provides an opportunity for political leaders, regardless
of
allegiance, to send the same message – that New
Zealand’s rates of family
violence are
unacceptable.
ends