MEDIA RELEASE – for immediate release
15 August 2007

Kiwis can put an end to violence and abuse

Kiwis can, and should take an active role in preventing violence and abuse, Preventing Violence in the Home (PVH) Executive Director Jane Drumm said today.

“Over the last few weeks the country has been left stunned by accounts of child abuse and violence in the home. Sadly, however, these cases are not isolated. Ten children are killed every year as a result of domestic violence and a staggering one in three women experience domestic violence in New Zealand homes every year. It’s time for Kiwis to take action.”

Drumm said that helping prevent domestic violence was as easy as learning to identify the signs that someone you are close to might be in danger, and becoming aware of what you can do to make a difference.

PVH’s website (www.preventingviolence.org.nz) provides a list of things New Zealanders can do to make the change. They are as simple as asking the right questions of friends and neighbours, making donations, offering time as a volunteer, and educating yourself on the myths and realities of domestic violence.

“New Zealanders need to take responsibility for our child abuse and domestic violence statistics before they climb any further. We need to stand up and say that violence and abuse is not ok. It will take a groundswell of action to effect change, and we need to start now.”

Drumm said PVH recognised that issues of this nature could be difficult to tackle alone, however workplaces and organisations could take action as a group, and be successful at doing so, she said.

“We’ve been working with our sponsorship partner the Bank of New Zealand and their 5,500 staff since last year. Their sponsorship has not only helped to raise money and awareness for PVH, it has galvanised the bank’s staff who are now passionate supporters, raising money and volunteering time. That’s 5,500 people who are now advocates in our communities for preventing domestic violence.”

Drumm said she was delighted that the BNZ was recently granted the Robin Hood Foundation Social Hero Award for Family Safety for their partnership with PVH, as it recognised the bank’s unique commitment to promoting awareness of a subject that was once seen as a social taboo.

“We are thrilled that BNZ’s decision to take a stand and not shy away from the difficult topic of family violence has been acknowledged. We hope that such recognition will encourage other workplaces to think about what they can do to instigate change.”

PVH is New Zealand’s largest single agency in the domestic violence field. It operates a 24-hour call centre and ‘DVFree’, a workplace programme aimed at helping victims of domestic violence.

ENDS

www.preventingviolence.org.nz

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