Community Safety And The Protecting Our ... - Auckland Council

ALTERNATIVES TO PHYSICAL VIOLENCE CAMPAIGNPROJECT OVERVIEWChild development experts generally agree that hitting children does not actually encourage thedevelopment of good/appropriate behaviour. It also reinforces the normalization of violencefrom a very early age. The alternatives that parents do have to physical punishment howeverare not widely known or understood.There are already a number of useful publications/materials in existence that could be adaptedand distributed locally to families in the first instance. For example: the “We don’t hit anybodyhere” story book (written in 3 languages) for parents to read to their children could be widelydistributed at the 15 month well child check, along with material for parents on alternatives tosmacking/parenting strategies etc. Evaluation of these materials and development of newresources could be progressed over time.There is funding in the Government’s 2003/4 budget for both national and local alternatives tophysical violence awareness campaigns. A local initiative could be launched at a similar time tonational media promotion so that both campaigns support each other.qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqSOME KEY STAKEHOLDERSViolence Free WaitakereWAVESWell child providersOffice of the Commissioner for ChildrenEpoch/UnicefChild Youth and FamilyMinistry of Social DevelopmentMarinoto Family TherapistsPoliceAnd other interested agencies and individualsRESOURCES REQUIREDProject coordination and developmentFunding to purchase booklets/resourcesAdditional funding for well child providers to include a discussion on alternatives to physicalviolence at the 15 month health checkAdditional training for well child providers in teaching caregivers about alternatives tophysical violenceFunding to provide some skills/training directly for parents/caregiversFunding for group alternatives to physical violence work shopsAchieving buy in from well child providersAttracting project fundingLaunching successful city campaignPROJECT MILESTONESPAGE 21