News Release
23 July 2009
Explaining to Children...What's a Protection Order?
Skylight’s new children’s booklet “What’s a Protection Order?” will be officially launched today by Judge Boshier, The Principal Family Court Judge of New Zealand, at the National Child Advocates Hui in Wellington.
“What’s a Protection Order?” is for children age 7-12 years who have witnessed or experienced family violence. It gives them a clear understanding of the ‘what’ and the ‘why’, in simple, easy to understand language.
Bice Awan, Skylight's Chief Executive says, “Having an honest and straight talking resource that can be used to help inform and reassure the children is invaluable. It is important for children to understand what a protection order is and what it means. It is vital they know what to do to keep themselves safe.”
Colourfully illustrated, this booklet is engaging for young readers and has strong personal safety messages including a Safety Plan they can make their own.
“Claire and her brother Jack sit closely together, with their hands over their ears, in the back bedroom. Anything to get away from the noise of their parents fighting again. The next day they find their Dad has to move away from their house, and isn’t allowed to see them for a while. Mum talks about the court and a protection order. They don’t know what that means. They want to know how come they can’t see their Dad."
Just like Claire and Jack, who are typical examples of the many children affected by family violence situations, a protection order often dictates major changes in the children’s lives. Ministry of Justice statistics for 2007 show that 3249 children were involved in the 2206 new protection orders granted (6400 children were involved in 4511 in all types of applications for protection orders in 2007).
“Family violence is a sad reality in New Zealand, yet, Skylight tries to provide some light through the darkest of times - a beacon of hope," says Mrs Bice Awan.
"We work to help create families and whānau environments that allow children – young children and teens in particular – to thrive and grow resilient, even when times are tough.”
To ensure the resource’s value in real life situations, Skylight had comment and feedback from a variety of professionals working to reduce family violence, including Ministry of Justice, Jigsaw, Wellington Women’s Refuge, It’s Not Okay campaign team at Ministry for Social Development, as well as Child Advocates.
The booklet was also ‘road tested’ by children in Skylight’s “Along The Track” programme for children who witness or experience family violence. It also includes the latest information in the upcoming law change which will shortly allow the Police to give protection orders on the spot, for up to five days.
“What’s a Protection Order?” is useful for parents and families/whānau and also for any agencies working to reduce family violence. It is available for a small cost through Skylight’s website www.skylight.org.nz or by calling 0800 299 100.