Latest Police figures show community is taking action to stop domestic violence

The latest police statistics show that community and government initiatives to reduce domestic violence are saving lives, saving money and making a difference to thousands of New Zealanders – so says Brian Gardner, of Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga the National Network of Stopping Violence Services.

Police statistics for 2010 were released this morning (Friday 1 April 2011) and they confirm a three year trend of more and more people are reporting incidents of family violence. There were 655 more recorded family violence offences in 2010, an increase of one percent on the number recorded in 2009.

Gardner says the statistics are concrete evidence that the community knows domestic violence is not okay and they are taking action to stop it by reporting it to the police.
“We urge the government to continue its current direction and allow community services to do more of what’s working. We need to retain every dollar of the current funding and increase funding where we see we are making a real difference.”

The Network’s advocacy manager is extremely worried that the highly encouraging gains will be lost if the government proceeds with its rumoured axing of funding for a range of domestic violence prevention initiatives.

“It has been reported that government is looking at redirecting millions of dollars of funding in this year’s budget away from successful community education and support initiatives like Te Rito Co-ordinators and advocates for children who witness violence.

Brian Gardner says it would be cheaper, more efficient and more effective to continue to support these community initiatives instead of building new prisons, such as the one that opened recently in Auckland costing tax payers $224 million.

ENDS

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