July 13, 2015
Balloons mark family killings
Groups working to address family violence released 101 balloons at Manurewa Marae on the weekend.
Te Rata Hikairo from Safer Aotearoa Family Violence Prevention Network says the initial 99 balloons were to mark the 99 deaths from family violence over the past two years, including six in Counties Manukau.
Two extra balloons were added for Christchurch toddler Ihaka Stokes and a 6-month old Raumati girl who met violent deaths over the past week.
He says communities are looking for effective responses.
In Counties Manukau alone there have been 2000 referrals for family violence over the 24-month period, which shows people are now more aware of the need to report incidents.
"There’s a lot of effective action going on, it's just about how targeted that is and if it is reaching the right places in a way we can have maximum impact for the safety of families affected by family violence," Mr Hikairo says.
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