Family violence subject of new Wellsford project

Making the Wellsford area a safer place is the aim of a new It’s Not Okay project focused on reducing family violence in the greater Wellsford area.

Anyone who supports this aim is being invited to a public meeting to be held at the Wellsford Community Centre from 6pm on Tuesday September 17.

“We are inviting every person in our community to get involved and support making this a safer place, especially for women and children,” says Judy Kennedy of Te Ha Oranga.

The project aims to get wide involvement from all parts of the community to support the It’s Not Okay message. Invitations are going out to local businesses, marae, sports clubs, churches, playcentres, schools, community organisations and individuals to come and hear about the project and join in supporting it.

“We want to make sure everyone in our community knows where they can get help to stop abuse and where they can get help to be safe,” says Mandi Gregory of Te Rito Rodney family violence prevention initiative. “There are lots of things we can all do to change what’s happening.”

Mandi says the research is clear that family violence hurts children, ruins relationships and only makes problems worse for families.

“We also want to spread the message that it’s okay to ask for help. There are local groups who can help find ways to change things and the whole community can all play a role in making sure people get the help they need.”

There are already about 15 different local organisations involved in launching the project says Quentin Jukes of Homebuilders Family Services.
“But we want to spread that a lot wider. Family violence happens right across our society and that’s why we want involvement from everyone who wants to be part of making our community safer.”

■ For more information about the meeting or the project please contact Judy Kennedy 423 8538 or Quentin Jukes on 425 7048 or 021 042 6442.
 

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