Family Violence Prevention

The Family Violence Network has been supporting children, women, families and community organisations across Waimakariri for over 15 years.

Waimakariri District Council is a partner in Violence Free North Canterbury. We provide coordination and support for this group.

Violence Free North Canterbury is a collaboration of agencies who aim to eradicate family violence in North Canterbury. It will do this by influencing positive social change within the community about family violence issues and empowering the community to send the message that family violence is unacceptable.

Violence Free North Canterbury was previously called North Canterbury Family Violence Network. It has been in existence since the mid-1990s. Meetings are held bi-monthly in February, April, June, August, October and December on the second Tuesday of the month.

There are three components to the family violence prevention project work:

• Raising community awareness of the issue and need for change
• Providing community education opportunities
• Increasing professional capability

Partner Agencies:

• Together Hurunui
• Williams Mckenzie Lawyers
• Social Service Waimakariri
• Wellbeing North Canterbury
• Police
• Oranga Tamarirki
• Te Whare Hauora
• Battered Women’s Trust
• Aviva
• Oxford Community Trust
• Presbyterian Support
• Ministry of Social Development
• Restorative Justice
• Barnardos
• Victim Support

Activities:

• Coordination and support for the North Canterbury Family Violence Network
• Facilitiation of White Ribbon Day initiatives at high schools, with local business and in local media
• Facilitation of Professional Development for people working in and with the community on how to recognise and respond appropriately where there is evidence of abuse
• Facilitation of Community Awareness raising around positive communication and what constitutes safe relationships
• Support for intiatives like Avivia's Men's Advocacy programme

Current Projects:

We are currently working on a number of projects to mark White Ribbon day (25 November)

Watch this space!

Recent Projects:

The Network hosted a Children and Family Violence Training Day recently at Rossburn Receptions. We had an exceptional turnout with just over 100 attend the day, coming from a variety of organisations including Police, Oranga Tamariki, Schools, Social Services agencies and Not for Profit groups. It was a full day covering some pretty confronting material including, the effects on Violence on Children, Exploring Safer Practice, Recognising Child Abuse and Neglect and Tools for Dealing with Trauma. Our thanks go to our exceptional speakers, Sergeant Jim Sole, Celine Donovan, Senior Constable Chris Hurring, Doctor Clare Doocy and Doctor Joyce Alberts.

We’ve had some really positive feedback, many finding the day really helpful to their work with many requesting that we run similar events in the future.

Resources:

Family Violence referral/support agencies leaflet

For further information contact:

Natalie Paterson
Phone: 0800 965 468
Email: natalie.paterson@wmk.govt.nz