Media release

30 March 2011

Cuts to family violence funding not good says Waves

Waves Trust says that the government must not make any cuts to family violence funding. Rumoured to be at risk in the next budget in May are;

* Funding for Te Rito networks and co-ordinators; * Funding for Family Violence Child Advocates; * It's Not OK public awareness campaign.

"All of these elements of government spending on the prevention of family violence are important and critical aspects of our national family violence prevention strategy." says Tiaria Fletcher, manager of Waves Trust.

Waves Trustee and Auckland Council Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse says any funding cuts to Te Rito, child advocates and the Its Not Ok campaign will have a serious impact on local communities.

"West Auckland is a region with a strong reputation for innovative responses to family violence - there is fantastic collaboration amongst all the key service providers here," Penny Hulse says". The coordination of family violence prevention, education and support initiatives could not happen without agencies like Waves Trust who are funded through Te Rito.

"We have worked with the It's Not OK brand to develop local Waitakere media campaigns. When we surveyed local residents last year, we found there was a high awareness of family violence and It's Not OK. This shows that we are making a difference and impacting on public attitudes towards family violence.

"Family violence child advocates play a vital role in advocating on behalf of children affected by family violence.

All of these initiatives contribute to a collaborative and broad-based approach to family violence in Waitakere. Any reduction in government funding supporting this work would significantly undermine the considerable gains that have been made.

"Family violence is a serious issue within society, Auckland and New Zealand as a whole can ill afford drastic changes, especially now.

"We are encouraging our network of community agencies to advocate with the Hon Tariana Turia and Minister Bennett against these changes. This is a most serious threat to our sector and the vulnerable families and whanau we serve."

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