Victim Support Groups Gain Grants

10 April 2006

Victim Support Groups Gain Grants

The work of victim support groups has gained financial support from not-for-profit sector funder the ASB Trusts.

In the latest round of grants the trusts approved $161,370 for the New Zealand Council of Victim Support Groups’ work in Northland and Auckland. The funds will go toward administration and operating costs, as well as helping cover volunteer training expenses.

At a time when Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier is speaking out against domestic violence, the grant will help victim support groups provide 24-hour emotional support, personal advocacy and information to people affected by crime and trauma.

Judge Boshier has been in the news after speaking at a hui on domestic violence in Auckland late last month (March), where he said domestic violence had reached a stage where the community must respond and act. Victim Support Groups are doing just that, with free information about victims’ rights and support through restorative justice meetings. It is estimated that 4000 people benefit from their help every year.

Another group working in the social services area, Whangarei’s Men Beyond Violence, has also been granted funds by the ASB Trusts. It will be paid $47,948 to cover running costs and equipment for its educational programme, which aims to stop men’s violence in all its forms.

The group, which is affiliated to a national network of services dedicated to ending violence, also works closely with the women’s refuge organisation, complementing the work that organisations does.

ASB Trusts CEO Jennifer Gill said the Men Beyond Violence course was helping men to turn their lives around, to control their anger and make dramatic changes in their lives. Three other Northland projects received ASB Trusts grants this month.

The Blue Goose Papermill Charitable trust received $15,000 for its work building confidence in people with special needs and Epilepsy Association of New Zealand Northland received $16,396 for operating costs for projects counselling and supporting people with epilepsy. Meanwhile, the Moerewa Christian Fellowship Trust was granted $75,000 to help with its social services work. The trust offers programmes including budgeting support, defensive driving training, out-of-school care and whanau support such as men’s and women’s groups, youth groups and parenting advice.

The ASB Trusts decides on grants to community groups each month. Last month it put $300,000 into anti-violence projects throughout the Auckland and Northland regions - part of about $50 million granted to community groups in Auckland and Northland each year. Founded on the sale of shares in the ASB bank, the ASB Trusts has granted more than $400m since being formed in 1988. Any incorporated or charitable trust can apply for funds, provided they are a not-for-profit organisation. For more details about applying, visit the ASB Trusts’ website: www.asbtrusts.org.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media