Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Working better together to prevent family violence

Working better together to prevent family violence


Eradicating family violence came a step closer today as the merger between two of the country’s most prominent social service providers becomes effective 1 July.

Leading domestic abuse service provider Shine (Safer Homes in New Zealand Everyday) will become a division of Presbyterian Support Northern (PSN), while continuing to focus on preventing family violence and helping adult and child victims to become safe.

The ‘Better Together’ merger was celebrated at a launch event last night. Minister of Justice Amy Adams spoke at the event about the importance of New Zealand getting a handle on the issue of family violence, calling it ‘a national disgrace’. She commented, “I am reflecting on celebrating the coming together of two wonderful organisations, in the knowledge that working together is always better than going it alone.”

By becoming part of the same organisation, Shine services will be better coordinated with PSN’s Family Works Northern service division, a move which will have a significant impact on family violence in the most densely populated part of the country.

Dr Rod Watts, CEO of Presbyterian Support Northern, says Shine will become a distinct operating division of PSN, and continue their unwavering focus on preventing domestic abuse.

“Family Works already works closely with Shine. This merge formalises the relationship to achieve more in preventing family violence and supporting victims. It allows us to consolidate our services to ensure a seamless continuation of support for victims, and more robust programmes.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“The aim is for more family violence victims to become safe, to support their on-going wellbeing and enable them to remain violence-free,” says Dr Watts.

Shine’s current Executive Director Jane Drumm will become General Manager of Shine after the merge.

Drumm says, “Domestic abuse affects far too many people in our society today. By improving our ability to intervene and support victims and their children, we’re looking to help establish safer and happier homes.”

Together, PSN and Shine will offer a range of services to adults, children and families experiencing (or perpetrating) domestic abuse. These include crisis advocacy for adults and children, refuge accommodation, client educative programmes, stopping violence programmes, social work, medium term counselling, budgeting and emergency food support.

A recent Productivity Commission Report highlighted difficulties for the Government in working with a high number of smaller organisations in the social services area, especially in domestic violence specialist services.

“By combining our resources and areas of expertise PSN will be in a better position to meet the needs of the most vulnerable,” Watts said.

Shine can now operate from Presbyterian Support Northern’s 11 Family Works service centres located around the upper North Island, allowing for more effective and cost-efficient service delivery.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.