First response pilot for the future safety of children

3 August 2009, AUCKLAND: It is widely known that New Zealand has very high rates of family violence and child abuse – two social problems which are inextricably linked.

The overlap between partner abuse and child abuse has been found to be as much as 65%; where one form of abuse is present there is a high probability the other is also prevalent.

Today, Paula Bennett, Minister of Social Development announced a range of initiatives in the Health Sector including a first-response pilot scheme.
The first response pilot community based scheme in Auckland will operate to respond to domestic violence related incidents in which vulnerable children are affected. Incidents reported to the NZ Police are referred to shine* which will assess the needs of the family involved and work them to determine what support is required, making referrals to CYFS or other appropriate agencies, as necessary.

Executive Director of shine* Jane Drumm, says “this pilot project deepens the pre-existing strong relationships between the NZ Police, CYFS and shine*. We are really delighted to be part of this project which we think will provide an efficient and effective crisis response to families with young children, who have come to the attention of the Police as a result of a family violence incident.

This important pilot tests the suitability for national replication of a new crisis response model. Jane Drumm advises that “we know the seriousness and frequency of family violence offending escalates over time and so it is vital that proactive support is offered as early as possible.”
“It is important to recognize that even when children are not being directly physically abused, they are being seriously emotionally and psychologically damaged by their experiences of family violence in their home. The impact of this lasts a lifetime.”

shine* Client Services Director, Jill Proudfoot, says “with the first response pilot, vulnerable children will get the right service at the right time; when the child is most in need.”

It is not always necessary to involve CYFS in order to assist families affected by family violence; often a low key response to an initial incident from a community agency such as shine* can remove further risk. However, some families may need further support from CYFS.

ENDS

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