Agencies team up to stop family violence

Police are joining forces with community groups to stamp out family violence.

Staff are responding to around 430 incidents a month.

They met this month with representatives from several organisations to formalise an agreement that aims to nip the cycle of inter-generational violence in the bud.

Signatories include Child, Youth and Family, Victim Support, Pacific Islands Safety and Prevention, Western Refuge Society and Man Alive.

All the organisations will work to identify high-risk children and young people in the community, especially those aged under two.

Child, Youth and Family spokeswoman Andrea Nichols says family violence makes up a large part of the work her organisation deals with.

"We have a particular focus on young children who are exposed to it," she says.

"We know they can be affected in a number of ways throughout their lives.

"This might start as trouble at school and progress to youth offending and then family violence in their own homes."

She hopes the latest move will assist in identifying children in need.

"It will help us by identifying the most vulnerable and wrapping supports around them and their families at the earliest possible opportunity."

Detective sergeant Kelly Farrant-Alofa works with the family violence team and says police are excited by the prospect of working with the agencies involved.

"Police alone cannot solve the complicated issues involved.

"Only a collaborative working relationship with other government and non-government agencies is going to help make our families safer," Ms Farrant-Alofa says.

- © Fairfax NZ News