National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges Inc.
Media Release – 17 December 2009

Community Response Fund Recognises Refuges

Women’s Refuge says news of the latest round of the government’s Community Response Fund brings welcome relief to Refuges throughout Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Heather Henare, Chief Executive of the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges, says funding has been approved for distribution to 18 Refuge services from Kaitaia to Invercargill.

Ms Henare says, “Our Refuges have to meet quite stringent criteria to receive this funding and they need to be able to demonstrate a need based on community impacts of the recession and also to be able to show that they are addressing those needs in ways that are appropriate, responsive and innovative.”

“We are very relieved that the government has recognised that services for families affected by domestic violence are essential and that Women’s Refuge has a critical role to play in ensuring that those services are provided. We appreciate very much the support we have received from Social Development Minister, Paula Bennett.”

Ms Henare says that family violence is still a significant challenge. “New Zealand has shown a considerable commitment to changing attitudes and behaviours in this country regarding the violence committed against women and children, through the It’s Not OK campaign. We must not lose momentum. We need to continue to prioritise the safety of women and children and their families for long-term results.”

She says, “We need good quality data about the current situation in this country and information about family violence services and initiatives. And we need to know that successful initiatives will be sustained by long-term funding.”

“Our perspective is very much that the safety of victims of domestic violence must be managed with skill and insight and that respectful co-operation between government and non-government agencies can be extremely valuable.”

Denise Reynolds, Kaiwhakahaere for the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges, says, “Our members are very excited about the Whānau Ora initiative as it is closely aligned to our own Mauri Tau strategy. We appreciate the work that has been done by Associate Social Development Minister Tariana Turia, who heads the ministerial committee on family violence, to progress this very important work.”

Ms Reynolds says, “The baseline for us is always the safety of women and children. Experience has shown us that when the nature and effects of domestic violence are understood, the best and safest outcomes are achieved.”

ENDS

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