Presbyterian Support East Coast opposing family violence

21 November 2014

Presbyterian Support East Coast supporting those affected by family violence

New Zealand has the fifth worst child abuse record out of 31 OECD Countries, and family violence costs every man, woman and child in New Zealand $1833 every year.

All Andrew* has ever known is family violence. Andrew lives in fear. Every day he worries about his own and his sister’s safety. His father often tries to strangle his mother, his wife. Very often when Andrew and his sister try to intervene, they suffer physical violence as well.

Based on a true story our actor Andrew stars in the ‘Guardian Angel’ campaign. Andrew’s story is not unusual. Nearly seven Kiwi kids are involved in family violence incidents reported to the police every hour of every day. Every five weeks a child is killed by a family member.

Presbyterian Support East Coast Family Works work hard to help keep children like Andrew safe in their own homes and are appealing for ‘guardian angels’ to donate to Family Works services. Donations can be as little as $1 a day.

As part of the become a ‘Guardian Angel campaign ‘Presbyterian Support East Coast is taking part in three special church services as part of the Family Works Guardian Angel campaign.

The first service was held at St Columba’s on Sunday 16 November. To support the first event 50 students from the Iona College’s Intermediate Choir who sung the compelling Guardian Angel song ‘Hey Stranger’ written by Malcom Gordon especially for the Guardian Angel campaign.

Two more church services will be held this month, one at St John’s Church, Frederick Street, Mahora, Hastings on 23 November at 10am and the other at St Andrew’s Church, Lyndon Road, Hastings on the 30 November at 11am.

Family Works East Coast provides social work, counselling, social work services in schools and parenting and children’s programmes for children and families throughout the East Coast. Services are partially government-funded but demand means there is a funding shortfall every year.

Guardian Angel donations will go directly to providing the sort of wrap-around services that helped Andrew and his family overcome the effects of abuse.

Family Works Hawke’s Bay Service Manager Pam McCann says “There are many more children like Andrew whose lives are profoundly affected by violence.”

Family Works National helps more than 10,000 at-risk children and their families every year – 40 people a day. Family violence and conflict are high on the list of the reasons for referral, along with poverty.

Many of the families we see are overwhelmed with the complexity and stress of the obstacles they face – whether that’s financial hardship, poor housing, alcohol and drug use, or mental health issues.

We know that these things can create huge stress for families, which can spill over into family violence.

Children may be physically abused but they can also experience emotional abuse and neglect which seriously impacts them as they grow up.

In some families, violence has been normalised in day to day life. We’re seeing more and more inter-generational violence.

Mrs McCann says “The Guardian Angel campaign appeals to ordinary Kiwis to make a difference for children like Andrew who live in fear of their lives, affected by family violence.”

“Family violence occurs in every neighbourhood. It’s a huge issue, but everyone can do something to help children feel safe in their own home. You don’t need wings to be a guardian angel for a child in need.”

To become a Guardian Angel, visit www.angel.org.nz or call 0800 2050 80. To find out more about Family Works East Coast’s services, visit www.eastcoast.familyworks.org.nz

To see a YouTube version of the song ‘Hey Stranger’, here: http://youtu.be/tJjOjsiuY5U

About Family Works and Presbyterian Support East Coast
Family Works East Coast supports at-risk children and their families to help them address complex issues like violence and conflict. Family Works East Coast is part of Presbyterian Support East Coast, an independent charitable social services provider which operates throughout the East Coast of the North Island, strengthening New Zealand families as they face life’s challenges. www.eastcoast.familyworks.org.nz

*Name has been changed.

ENDS

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