Media Release

Embargoed until 5pm

September 5 2007

Waitakere Mayor Launches Local Campaign For Action Against Family Violence

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey today launched a local version of the government’s national campaign for action against family violence.

The $14 million national Campaign for Action on Family Violence is being led by the Ministry of Social Development and the Families Commission in association with communities and Waitakere is the first city to produce a local version.

In Waitakere, billboards and newspaper advertisements funded with help from The Trusts, will feature the mayor, former All Black and league legend Va’aiga ‘Inga’ Tuigamala and Outrageous Fortune television star Robyn Malcolm declaring family violence is “not OK in Waitakere”.

“We are taking family violence very seriously in Waitakere because it needs to be taken very seriously,” says Mayor Harvey.

“The time has come for action. Dr Pita Sharples and I are co-chairing a Mayoral Taskforce against Family Violence and it was logical and right for us to get in behind the government’s campaign which has a simple message. Family violence is not OK. It is not OK and it’s not OK in Waitakere.”

The campaign will add to raising awareness of family violence that is already happening in communities and is designed to help change attitudes and behaviour towards family violence.

When approached by Mayor Harvey to lend her high profile to the campaign Robyn Malcolm was quick to accept.

“All that is good in our communities starts with the family. Children are our future and our hope,” she says. “Violence within the family contributes to the erosion of our communities and hope for a good future. If we do nothing else we must work all seasons for safer environments in which to raise our children.

“We must also work to provide greater support for those many families under such extreme pressure they then use violence as an out. It is a complex problem but one that must be dealt with. We are all responsible.”

At the Waitakere launch, attended by around 60 people who work in the family violence area, Mayor Harvey was joined by the Ministry of Social Development’s Deputy Chief Executive: Social Services Policy Nick Pole and Chief Commissioner, Families Commission Rajen Prasad who also made presentations.

The national campaign was launched at Parliament yesterday and the 0800 number and website will be available from September 9 to coincide with the screening of the first television advertisements.

ENDS

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