media releases

Help’s at hand from Victim Support and State partnership

24 August 2004

Victim Support is launching a new partnership with State, the country’s largest personal insurer, to help New Zealanders cope with the consequences of crime and trauma.

The three-year partnership will be launched at a parliamentary reception on Thursday 26th August.

Together, State and Victim Support will develop incident-specific resources to help train volunteers and staff and jointly focus on preventative measures.

"Victim Support has recently undergone significant structural change so it is an opportune time for a new partnership to be developed “says Victim Support Chief Executive Steve Caldwell.

“State helps hundreds of people every day overcome financial loss stemming from a traumatic event, so they’re a natural and very welcome partner for us. We, in turn, provide advice and emotional support to the very same people 24 hours a day. "

David Smith, Chief Executive of IAG NZ who trade under the State brand, says the partnership means much more than pure financial support.

“Staff are looking forward to supporting another organisation which helps people in times of distress" he says.

“Many of our people are already involved with Victim Support as volunteer workers or know someone who Victim Support has assisted.

“They’re pleased they can now be more directly involved, referring people to Victim Support as an avenue for help.”

“Victim Support also shares State’s goal of preventing the incidence of crime and trauma in our communities. Overall the two organisations are a great fit and we look forward to working with them over the coming three years,” Mr Smith says.

In recent months both State and Victim Support have directly helped numerous victims of the widespread flooding and daily come to the assistance of New Zealanders faced with the consequences of crime and trauma.