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Anti-violence programs to lose funding under National |
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Carmel Sepuloni
Victims’ Rights Spokesperson
Anti-violence programs to lose funding under
National
Under a National-led Government victims of violence look set to be the latest casualty of ill-conceived slash and burn cost cutting tactics, Labour’s Victims Rights spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni says.
“Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Associate Minister Tariana Turia are getting it wrong when it comes to safeguarding children and families, they should be putting children before budget cuts,” Carmel Sepuloni said.
“What we are seeing now is a Government who is willing to compromise children's safety by cutting funding that helps develop healthy and safe living environments.
"The Child Advocates for Child Witnesses of Family Violence roles were created in 2005 under a Labour government that was, and is still, committed to putting children's safety and wellbeing first. This National Government is in the process of undoing the progress being made in communities across the country
"I have seen first-hand the exceptional work of groups in my own community such as the Waitakere Anti-Violence Essential Services (WAVES) and I know that organisations like this do make a difference. Advocates and organisations in my community have worked collaboratively with other community groups and the local council for years to develop innovative and localised responses to family violence.
“If the government is running short of ideas on ‘what works’ perhaps it is time they paid a visit to organisations working in the field- but one thing is certain it is almost impossible to do more for less when initiatives proven to be effective are wiped out overnight without thorough and robust contingency plans.
“Proposed cuts to Te Rito and the "It's not O.K" public awareness campaign are going to have a direct and negative effect on community level organisations' ability to influence change and prevention at the coal face of family violence.
“What we need is reassurance from government that children in our community will be safeguarded from violence and that this important work within our community groups is able to continue,” Carmel Sepuloni said.
ENDS


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