Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Violence Prevention - A Great Opportunity
Violence Prevention - A Great Opportunity to Help it Progress.
In early June the Minister of Health released 'The New Zealand Health Strategy Discussion Draft'. The finalised strategy will be used by the new District Health Boards, when they come into existence next year, to guide their decision-making and to set priorities for action.
One of the key goals is "Fewer injuries" and 4 objectives are listed under this goal.
1. To reduce the incidence and impact of road traffic injuries;
2. To reduce the incidence and impact of falls in older people;
3. To reduce the incidence and impact of injuries (other than traffic) in children and youth;
4. To reduce the incidence of violence in interpersonal relationships, families, schools and communities.
Twelve objectives, out of a total of 50, have been selected as a priority for immediate action. Objective 4 listed above - "To reduce the incidence of violence in interpersonal relationships, families, schools and communities" is one of those 12.
This is very good news !
It means that if this priority remains in place when the Strategy is finalised the Ministry of Health and District Health Boards will be required to focus on it and to allocate funding and resources to achieve it.
We are encouraging everyone who is concerned to see violence prevention undertaken as a public health initiative to make a submission on this Draft Strategy welcoming the selection of this objective as a 'priority for immediate action'. You may also like to say that whilst supporting this policy initiative from the Ministry of Health you'd like to see similar ones adopted by other relevant Ministries e.g. Police, Justice, Youth Affairs, Womens Affairs, Social Welfare, Education etc. etc.
The Draft is being being
widely circulated for discussion during June and July and
submissions will be received until July 28. It is currently
available on the Ministry's web site:
Marion Hancock, Peace Foundation,
Box 4110, Auckland.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Peace
Movement Aotearoa the national networking group for
peace people PO Box 9314, Wellington, Aotearoa / New
Zealand. tel +64 4 382 8129, fax 382 8173,
Gordon Campbell: On What’s Wrong With The Treaty Principles Bill
Department Of Internal Affairs: Samoan Citizenship Bill Passes Into Law
NZ National Party: National Acknowledges The Passing Of Hon Nikki Kaye
Mana Mokopuna: Children And Young People Share Vital Insights On Healing From Family Violence And Sexual Violence In New Report
NZ Government: PM Marks One Year In Government
Helen Clark Foundation: Helen Clark Foundation Calls For Political Action To Reduce The Prevalence Of Junk Food And Improve Health Outcomes
Justice Committee: Further Decisions About Submissions Process For The Principles Of The Treaty Of Waitangi Bill
