Media releases
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Please direct all enquiries to Emily Marden.
Media contact:
Emily Marden
Victim Support
emily.marden@victimsupport.org.nz
027 414 0340
Victim Support launches Nationwide Contact Service
Victim Support today launched a new nationwide Contact Service for victims of crime or sudden trauma. The service will manage all calls for Victim Support services referred from the Police or in some instances from the public.
The new Contact Service was launched today by Minister of Police Judith Collins and Victim Support Chief Executive Tony Paine.
The new contact service streamlines the ability for Victim Support to mobilise volunteers and to respond to Police call outs, in many cases within 45 minutes if Police deem the incident urgent. Contact Service staff are provided training to be able to prioritise responses and in how to deal with people who may be suffering from grief or trauma. Chief Executive Tony Paine said that development of the service has been a priority for Victim Support for the past 12 months.
"We've worked hard to make sure the service is a seamless and integrated response to victims and the New Zealand Police. Our service is 24/7 and we are quite literally everywhere in New Zealand. Couple that with a volunteer base of nearly 1000 and that's a lot of detail to factor into one system. We're delighted with the result – ultimately anything we can do to enhance the quality of our service to victims will always be a priority" added Mr. Paine.
Implementation of the new service has been supported by New Zealand Police through the provision of a phone system and office space.
"Victim Support volunteers are invaluable in helping people who are suffering from the impact of crime or trauma," said Police Commissioner Howard Broad. "The new centralised contact service makes it easier for police to quickly contact Victim Support and to know that there's a consistent and timely response for victims when it's needed most."
"Clear directions and information about the incident can be referred by police, recorded centrally and victims get a better coordinated support response as a result," he said. "Dealing with victims of crime will always be a police priority, particularly in significant crime and major trauma.
"This new centralised Victim Support contact point will ensure that Victim Support services are briefed and better able to lend their expertise when they're needed most."
A key component to the service is a state of the art online roster system (goroster.com) which automatically displays all the information the Contact Service needs about things such as, volunteer availability, training status and contact details.
As well as acknowledging support from NZ Police, Mr. Paine praised the in-kind support received from goRoster.com. "The roster system is an integral part of this new Service. It means we can identify who is available and more importantly if the incident requires a volunteer with the necessary specialist training, for example a homicide incident." Said Mr. Paine
The Contact Service will maintain a link with the volunteer sent on a call out – ensuring safety and an update on the incident should there be additional developments once the volunteer is no longer on duty.
Victim Support is partially funded by Government through the Ministry of Justice however Mr. Paine stressed development and Implementation of a service like this was an expensive exercise and signaled they will be looking to the private sector to support their work. We're always focused on fundraising. Our government funding does not cover all our costs. The New Zealand public has continuously supported our work and we appreciate that. This year we'll be focused on securing a national sponsor from the private sector – so that we can continue to develop our quality service to victims."
Media contact:
Emily Marden
Victim Support
027 414 0340
Victim Support calls for Liquor Industry levy
Victim Support is calling for the inclusion of a social cost levy in its submission on liquor reforms.
Victim Support’s Chief Executive Tony Paine is endorsing the overall direction of the Law Commission’s proposals in its paper on alcohol reforms but is calling for a mandatory levy on the liquor industry to return some of its profits to groups like Victim Support that deal with the aftermath and impacts of excessive alcohol consumption.
“The link between alcohol and crime is beyond dispute. Victim Support deals with the impacts of unabated alcohol consumption on a daily basis. We see those impacts in the rawest and saddest light. The liquor industry must return some of its profits to groups like Victim Support that deal with the aftermath of excessive alcohol consumption.” says Mr Paine.
Victim Support provides 24/7 support and assistance for people affected by crime and trauma. The service is delivered by highly trained volunteers throughout New Zealand. Services provided include immediate trauma support, information and guidance through the criminal justice system. Victim Support also has specialist support workers in the areas of homicide and suicide.
“The impact alcohol has on crime is felt across the board for our services. In certain parts of the country, however, Victim Support is having to put additional resources into providing specialised services such as trained teams of domestic violence workers. The severity of domestic violence increases with the presence of alcohol and in some districts we’re experiencing an increased demand for these specialist workers.” Says Mr Paine
31% of all crime can be directly connected with alcohol consumption. Harmful alcohol use in 2005/2006 cost New Zealand an estimated $5.296 billion in resources, including police, health, ACC, justice and corrections services. In Wellington alone alcohol was a factor in 66% of arrests for disorder, violence, and sexual offending. This figure increases to 90% of violent offences on Friday and Saturday evenings. In Christchurch, young people are 3.2 times more likely to be involved in violent offending when they abuse alcohol.
“The social cost of excessive alcohol consumption is too high. The liquor industry is worth billions of dollars – some of that money must be directed towards agencies like Victim Support that end up picking up the pieces.” says Mr Paine.
Media contact:
Tony Paine
Victim Support CEO
027 246 0177
