10. DARIEN FENTON (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What reports has she received regarding the Government’s Campaign for Action on Family Violence?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
I have seen reports that say that the campaign has a lot of New Zealanders thinking, talking, and acting against family violence. Of the 900 people surveyed, 87 percent recalled the campaign and, of those, 94 percent agreed with the campaign message. Over half had discussed the ads with someone, and one in five reported taking some direct action as a result. Just 3 months since the launch of the campaign, individuals and communities across our country are coming together to say that family violence is not OK.
What additional investment has the Government made to support services that prevent and reduce the impact of family violence?
Our Government has invested heavily in child and family services to ensure that all those who are affected by family violence are supported to rebuild their lives. Additional funding just this year includes a $5 million campaign response fund to support family violence services that are experiencing a higher demand as a result of the campaign, over $20 million to boost the ability of community organisations to deliver those services, and over $11 million to enhance the health sector response to family violence. Ongoing investment is a key priority, and we will continue to work with the sector to ensure that needs are met.
Sue KedgleyDoes the Minister agree that it is ironic that the excellent advertisements being screened on television as part of the Government’s anti-violence campaign are being interspersed around television programmes that are literally packed full of violence—up to 18 episodes of violence an hour in some programmes—and given the overwhelming evidence that high levels of violence on television increase the culture of violence, why will the Government not take action to reduce the amount of violence on television as part of its anti-violence campaign?