The Minister for Children and for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, is encouraging Kiwis to use the resources available to get help and report instances of family and sexual violence amongst their friends, families, and loved ones who are in need.
“The death of a child is utterly heartbreaking,” she says.
“My heart aches for all children that are taken too early and the future they will never get to experience.
“It’s been extremely saddening and disappointing to see this already happening so early into this new year.
“It joins the many other instances of family and sexual violence around the country that often go unseen or unspoken about, and it shows that as a country we still have work to do.”
Chhour says the coalition Government is working to improve this and she’s asking people to work together, with each other and relevant agencies, to take action “so we can help protect each other”.
“Our shift as a country to taking active steps will help to protect Kiwis and save lives.
“Work is under way on the family and sexual violence action plan.
“It focuses on prevention, rehabilitation, protecting children and young people, and enabling a larger workforce and better action to be taken to help and protect people.
“It’s focused on breaking inter-generational cycles of violence in families.
“I’m urging people to use the resources available to them so that they can get help to stop family and sexual violence.
“In many cases we know something is happening but do not act, and that’s something I’m advocating for change in.
“I want that this year, people will take action and reach out to get help. Resources are there for people in danger, and resources are there for people who need help to rehabilitate.
“Help is there for victims, help is there for perpetrators.”
Where to go for help or more information:
- If someone hurts you, you can report it to police and reach out to the family violence or sexual violence helpline.
- Women’s Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 – 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
- Shine, free national helpline 9am-11pm every day – 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
- It’s Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz
- Safe to Talk, the sexual harm helpline, is available 24/7: www.safetotalk.nz
- Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
- Ministry of Justice: www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence
- National Network of Stopping Violence: www.nnsvs.org.nz
- White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men’s violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent. www.whiteribbon.org.nz
- Help is also available to people who are worried that their behaviour is hurting or scaring others. Call 0800 456 450 or visit www.changeispossible.org.nz to get advice, support and find what help is available for you.
