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Newsletter
November 2008

In this campaign update: Campaign survey results, Police crime statistics and updates from Hamilton and Nelson Te Rito network. A new round of CAF funding, details of a marae-based project with young people and a wrap up of sporting links. Police media training a big hit and some new features for our website.

More people taking action

The latest tracking survey into the effectiveness of the campaign shows 95 percent of people surveyed knew about the campaign, up from 89 percent since in April, 2008. Even more encouraging, 22 percent said they had taken some action after seeing the campaign advertisements - up from 19 per cent in April.

More than two out of three people (68 percent) surveyed in September said they have spoken to family or friends about family violence and more than half (57 percent) said they now felt they could help to influence someone to change their behaviour.

Face to Face survey

The data collection for the attitudes towards family violence survey is now complete and involved 2500 face to face interviews with New Zealanders.
The survey asks about New Zealanders' attitudes, values and beliefs about family violence, the propensity to act, and awareness of the Campaign for Action on Family Violence. The data is currently being analysed.

Police crime statistics

There was extensive media coverage of the Police crime statistics for the year ending June 30 released last month. The figures showed a 29 per cent increase in reported family violence which police said was the result of the issue being brought into the public eye as a result of campaigns like the It's not OK campaign. Assistant Commissioner Grant Nicholls said it was clear the It's not OK campaign was having an impact with people reporting domestic violence cases more often.

Hamilton says It's not OK

Hamilton City Council will roll out its own version of the campaign in a month long promotion in December. Billboards will appear around Hamilton featuring local personalities and messages about family violence. The local campaign will be targeted at the pre-Christmas period, often a stressful time for families. Posters and information will be available at key events across the city.

Nelson Te Rito

Nelson Te Rito network recently had a workshop with the campaign team to plan their newly funded Community Action project. There is a lot of commitment to family violence prevention work from across the Nelson community from the youth workers collective, Police, drug and alcohol services, and the Council. The manager of Nelson Stopping Violence Services reported that many more men are coming to their service voluntarily since the campaign was launched and they are much more willing to engage than they were previously.

A film made by two Nelson Girls College students was screened for the Te Rito network. The girls recently won a local film competition for their piece which shows a young woman's experience of violence in her home since she was a child. The film has gained media attention and the network is exploring ways to share the film as a resource for young people to discuss family violence.

New CAF Round Opening

The fourth round of the Community Action Fund will open shortly, with applications closing on 31 March 2009. The fourth round was originally scheduled to open in February 2009 but we are bringing the opening of the round forward to give people an extended period of time to work on their proposals. See the website for details shortly.

Marae-based learning

Taiohi Morehu, a successful marae-based leadership initiative for young people addressing issues on violence in the home, schools and communities, was held at Orongomai in Upper Hutt recently. The weekend forum involved students from Upper Hutt, Heretaunga, Taita and Wainuiomata Colleges. The project, initiated by the Campaign team, was a collaboration between MSD/FACS, the Ministry of Education, Te Puni Kokiri, Upper Hutt City Council, Hutt City Council, Capital and Coast DHB, Hutt Valley DHB, NZ Police, Orongomai marae and the schools. As part of the project, there will be two more wananga before December, a presentation by the students on White Ribbon Day, November 25, and a number of community forums.

Some of the students will also perform at the Whanau Christmas event in Auckland next month. Whanau Christmas is an alcohol free, family focused celebration with live music and entertainment. The campaign will be there too. Come and say hello to some of the team who will be at the Family and Community Services marquee hosting activities and handing out information. Whanau Christmas: 20 December, Roberta Reserve, Glendowie, Auckland. And it's free!

More sporting interest

There continues to be strong interest in the campaign from sporting groups. The Breakers Basketball team is extending its involvement with the campaign with resources being developed for use as part of the team's work with the community and schools.
Players will also include campaign messaging as part of their regular radio slot on the Radio Network. The Super 14 rugby franchise, the Hurricanes and Touch Rugby New Zealand have both approached the campaign team seeking partnerships heading into 2009.

Safer Communities

There was a presentation about the campaign at the International Safer Communities Conference in Christchurch in October. A campaign exhibition stand attracted considerable interest, particularly from overseas delegates who are working to prevent family violence and wanted to hear more about our campaign.

Police training

A media training workshop was delivered to a group of Police Family Violence coordinators in Auckland in October. The feedback was excellent and participants said they would like to see the training become mandatory for Police family violence staff, and asked for an annual refresher course. The campaign was also given a one hour slot at the Police Family Violence Coordinators annual conference at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua last month. The campaign team provided an overview of the campaign and findings from our media audits which relate to police.

Website developments

The website continues to attract a high number of hits and several new features are being introduced. Jude Simpson has joined Vic Tamati answering emails from people who submit questions via the website. Jude is a survivor of domestic violence who now works for Presbyterian Support Services, raising awareness of the effects of family violence.

A campaign calendar is currently being developed for the site. It will show details of events and activities planned around New Zealand by people who are working together to help prevent family violence. Keep an eye on the website in December for information about how to register your event on the calendar.

Pre-Christmas TV ads

The It’s not OK campaign TV ads will be on air in the week commencing 14 December, in the run up to Christmas, traditionally a time of increased incidents of family violence.

 

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