MEDIA STATEMENT THURSDAY MAY 19 2011

Domestic Violence Conference Inspires Innovation

Te Kupenga – the National Network of Stopping Violence – says recent high-profile murders of mothers and children highlight the ongoing need to effectively address the issue of family violence.

National manager Brian Gardner says there is a long way to go before New Zealand women and children can be considered safe in their own homes.

“Community awareness of domestic violence has never been higher, largely through campaigns such as ‘It’s not OK’ and the White Ribbon Day, but without the opportunity to work together to achieve change we will all continue to pick up the pieces,” Gardner says.

“These recent murders highlight the desperate need to keep striving for inspired thinking and innovative solutions to address domestic violence that leaves few New Zealand families untouched.”

Gardner says the upcoming national domestic violence conference, Toitoi Manawa: Inspiring Change, will bring together experts in violence prevention to women from across the country and across cultures.

Keynote speakers include Alfred Ngaro (Tamaki Community Development Trust, Auckland); Sue Bradford (Auckland Action Against Poverty, Auckland); Trevor Wilson (Whakatu Marae, Nelson); and Ruth Herbert (Family Violence Prevention, Ministry of Social Development, Wellington).

Registrations close tomorrow (May 20) for the annual hui which will be held at Wellington’s Tapu Te Ranga Marae from Wednesday June 8 to Friday June 10.

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