MEDIA RELEASE
Jigsaw Family Services
28 May 2009

Jigsaw welcomes ongoing Budget support for families

Liz Kinley, CEO (Strategic Operations) of Jigsaw, has welcomed ongoing government support for programmes and campaigns to stop family violence.

“Lower economic growth and rising unemployment are affecting more and more New Zealanders. As families experience the stress of financial uncertainly demand for services like ours is likely to grow,” says Liz Kinley.

Coupled with the Community Response Fund announced last week, she is pleased to see that effective anti-violence campaigns like “It’s Not OK” will continue.

“People are getting the message that violence isn’t acceptable and it’s especially important not to drop that ball during hard times. Rather, community services need boosting to respond to increased family needs.”

Liz Kinley says 20 hours a week support for children attending playcentres and kohanga reo is welcome affirmation of the important role parents play in their children’s development.

“Support for these places is support for parents helping themselves, each other and their kids. It is critical that parents know what it takes to safely raise happy, healthy children – skills they can share and learn in organisations like these,” says Liz Kinley

Jigsaw is a network of 33 organisations throughout New Zealand working to stop child abuse and family violence.

ENDS

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