Let’s Keep Our Children Safe In Their Families This Christmas

Jigsaw CEO Strategic Operations, Liz Kinley wants to remind all of us to watch out for our children and keep them safe in their families this Christmas and holiday season.

Sadly, Christmas and the holiday time is often the time of year when rates of family violence rise. This means that over the next few weeks many of our children living in families where violent and abusive behaviour is part of their family life, will be exposed to increased levels of yelling, angry shouting, harsh words, out downs, hitting and abuse.

Many of these children and young people will be caught up in the midst of angry clashes between the grownups they love most within their family network. And tragically some will witness their mothers being subjected to serious and potentially life threatening acts of partner violence.

All abuse and violence hurts children, whether they are directly on the receiving end or seeing it happen to others they love. Let’s take time this Christmas to think about the part we can play to keep all of our children safe in their families and whanau.

If we see trouble brewing, then let’s watch out for our children’s safety and take action to make sure that unsafe or frightening situations are defused before anyone is hurt. And if outside help is needed, then let’s step forward, intervene and get the help that’s needed before anyone is hurt.

Ms Kinley believes the strongest memory children have of Christmas is how it felt being with their families, what their family did and how they got on together, not the presents they were given.

She has a simple message to all New Zealanders if they see anyone in their family, or in their community getting harmed.

“If you see or suspect anyone is getting harmed in their community, remember it is OK to speak out about it. In an emergency you can call the Police on 111, or for any other matter about family violence call the Family Violence Information line is 0800 456 450”

ENDS

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