Breaking the cycle of family violence needs long-term solutions

UNICEF NZ is alarmed that government funding may be withdrawn for the child advocates programme, potentially putting New Zealand children at risk.

A recent report to the NZ Government from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child described New Zealand’s child abuse rates as “staggering”.  The Committee was commenting on the government’s report on its compliance with UNCROC, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

That’s why the 45 specialist child advocates, currently working in our local communities to address this, are so essential. They work hard to make sure that children impacted in any way by violence have their needs effectively met. This includes 22 Maori advocates naturally working to their own kaupapa to achieve the confidence of their communities.

Barbara Lambourn, UNICEF NZ's National Advocacy Manager, has written an in-depth piece on this issue for the Otago Daily Times. 

Read the article here

What can I do?
Help us by emailing your local MP and asking them to take action to protect the important work of the child advocates. 
Find their contact details here