Almost every day we are confronted by a story in the media by some appalling act of violence in New Zealand. A statistic released the other day revealed that over 100,000 child abuse cases were recorded in NZ in the last year. That is, over 300 per day. This can only be discribed as a disgrace.
Violent crime is the one type of crime that is on the increase in New Zealand. In one Police District, violent crime in the last 12 months had increased by over 30%. We can analyise the reasons for this increase and hopefully in time put programmes in place that will address the issues of anger, alcohol abuse, drug addiction, disfunctional families and the increase in exposure to violence in video games, on movies and television, which are often at the basis of this increase in violence.
However, although absolutely necessary, these programmes take time to get into place and to begin to have positive effects. At this moment in time we all need to take some action to lessen the prevalence of this violence. There has to be a zero tolerance to violent behaviour and we all must take on the responsibility to take some action when we see this behaviour or the results of this behaviour. It is no use ignoring it and the following day finding out that a child or partner has been killed when we could have taken preventive action.
We need to personalise these incidents and ask yourself "if you were a victim, would you like someone to help you".
The first contact should be to the Police especially in an emergency situation. However, if for some reason this is not possible get the information to Crimestoppers anonymously. No one will know who has provided the information. Don't live to regret your lack of action. Your immediate action could save a life. Potential violent offenders may think twice about taking an action if they knew there was a high likelihood of them facing the consequences of their actions.
You can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or submit an encrypted online message form found on Crimestoppers website http://www.crimestoppers-nz.org/
There is no place in society for the violence we are now seeing in New Zealand. We are supposed to be civilised and in the 21st century but are behaving in a way that belongs back in the dark ages.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
DOMESTIC ABUSE
Another adult person has been convicted of causing the death of a young, defenceless child. When will this blight finally stop in New Zealand. We, as a country, have one of the worst records per capita in the world and its about time we adopted a zero tolerance towards those who inflict this abuse on partners and defenceless children. Children, who innocently look to those very adults to nurture, love and protect them. Every time I look at my three year grand daughter I can't believe what people do to these young defenceless children.
It will only stop when individuals who know these dreadful things are occurring step up and do something about it. It is too late after a child or a partner is killed. Yes, it is difficult to step up and say something, particularly if you don't want to identify yourself or it is a family member who you are providing information about. That is why Crimestoppers has been established - to give individuals every opportunity to speak up about behaviours that are illegal, but more importantly, have the potential of leading to serious injury or death. This information can be provided anonymously and can save lives. The aim is to get the abused out of danger and to deal with the abuser legally and provide clearly needed pychological help.
To date, despite the dreadful record of domestic abuse in New Zealand the provision of this information to Crimestoppers is still low.
Come on New Zealanders let us do something about these behaviours. Don't ignore situations where partners and children are abused. Delaying providing this information could result in serious injury or death. Ring the Police in the first instance but if this is too difficult, call 0800 555 111 or use the online encrypted message form on the website http://www.crimestoppers-nz.org/
It will only stop when individuals who know these dreadful things are occurring step up and do something about it. It is too late after a child or a partner is killed. Yes, it is difficult to step up and say something, particularly if you don't want to identify yourself or it is a family member who you are providing information about. That is why Crimestoppers has been established - to give individuals every opportunity to speak up about behaviours that are illegal, but more importantly, have the potential of leading to serious injury or death. This information can be provided anonymously and can save lives. The aim is to get the abused out of danger and to deal with the abuser legally and provide clearly needed pychological help.
To date, despite the dreadful record of domestic abuse in New Zealand the provision of this information to Crimestoppers is still low.
Come on New Zealanders let us do something about these behaviours. Don't ignore situations where partners and children are abused. Delaying providing this information could result in serious injury or death. Ring the Police in the first instance but if this is too difficult, call 0800 555 111 or use the online encrypted message form on the website http://www.crimestoppers-nz.org/
Friday, June 18, 2010
NEW PARTNERSHIPS
In the last week Crimestoppers New Zealand is pleased to note we have teamed up with two new partners, the Department of Corrections and the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).
The relationship between Corrections and Crimestoppers is aimed at increasing the safety of Corrections staff, inmates and the wider community. The current system used is 0800JAILSAFE and this will be replaced by the Crimestoppers Number 0800 555 111, a number that New Zealanders are becoming increasingly aware of as a means of providing information about crime anonymously. Inmates know about past crimes, recent crimes and crimes planned for the future. They also know about crimes that specifically endanger Corrections staff and inmates. Many inmates may be willing to provide this information but there are many barriers to doing so. The Crimestoppers service provides the opportunity to provide the information anonymously and we know that this anonymity empowers individuals. The Corrections and Crimestoppers team are determined to, and confident of, achieving a positive outcome in regards making the environment safer for staff, inmates and the community.
The relationship between ACC and Crimestoppers is aimed at encouraging individuals who have information about those who are illegally claiming payments from ACC to provide that information anonymously to ACC via the Crimestoppers New Zealand contact points, that is, the toll free phone line 0800 555 111 or using the online message form on the website http://www.crimestoppers-nz.org/ These illegal claims mean that there is real pressure on the funds available and/or on the need to increase the funding base. In both cases, we all feel the effects.
If we want our community to be safer and to have an environment that is good for business and thus employment, then we all have to play our part. We will have a stronger, safer and healthier community if we all pull together as a team. It can be done - don't disempower yourself by saying "what can I do". We just need to all do our bit.
The relationship between Corrections and Crimestoppers is aimed at increasing the safety of Corrections staff, inmates and the wider community. The current system used is 0800JAILSAFE and this will be replaced by the Crimestoppers Number 0800 555 111, a number that New Zealanders are becoming increasingly aware of as a means of providing information about crime anonymously. Inmates know about past crimes, recent crimes and crimes planned for the future. They also know about crimes that specifically endanger Corrections staff and inmates. Many inmates may be willing to provide this information but there are many barriers to doing so. The Crimestoppers service provides the opportunity to provide the information anonymously and we know that this anonymity empowers individuals. The Corrections and Crimestoppers team are determined to, and confident of, achieving a positive outcome in regards making the environment safer for staff, inmates and the community.
The relationship between ACC and Crimestoppers is aimed at encouraging individuals who have information about those who are illegally claiming payments from ACC to provide that information anonymously to ACC via the Crimestoppers New Zealand contact points, that is, the toll free phone line 0800 555 111 or using the online message form on the website http://www.crimestoppers-nz.org/ These illegal claims mean that there is real pressure on the funds available and/or on the need to increase the funding base. In both cases, we all feel the effects.
If we want our community to be safer and to have an environment that is good for business and thus employment, then we all have to play our part. We will have a stronger, safer and healthier community if we all pull together as a team. It can be done - don't disempower yourself by saying "what can I do". We just need to all do our bit.
Monday, June 7, 2010
DISHONESTY CRIME IN NZ
Recently I was researching a brief that I was to give to a Territorial Local Authority and was astounded by the very poor resolution rate for crimes of dishonesty. The rate was 28% for the region I was briefing on, which means there is less than a 1 in 3 chance of the thief being caught and held to account for what they have done. I recently heard of someone at a school where a very new and named jumper had been handed in to the lost property section. A student came and reported their jumper had been lost. He was asked if it was named. He thought for a minute and then said it was named but he had got it from the second hand shop and another student's name was in it. His theft and subsequent lie was revealed to him and he was sent on his way.
This level of dishonesty and the poor resolution rate for crimes of dishonesty is encouraged by the "head in the sand" approach taken by parents, friends and work colleagues when they ignore theft occurring around them. Some niavely say that these crimes are victimless. This is absolute rubbish, victims of burglaries will often say that, they feel they have been violated.
It is about time there was a nil level of tolerance to theft. By ignoring theft we are encouraging young thieves as they are not forced to face the consequences of their actions and are embolden to go on offending. In addition, much of the theft today feeds the offenders addictions such as illegal drugs, alcohol and gambling and the longer they get away with theft the worst their respective addictions become. I appeal to parents in particular to be more inquisitive about where their children have acquired their new "toy". It is better you take this approach rather than have a very unwelcome visit from the Police in the future.
If you have information about crime/criminal offending or criminals contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use the online message form on the website http://www.crimestoppers-nz.org/ No one will ever know your identity. Your anonymity is guaranteed. You can do something about crime in your community without endangering yourself.
This level of dishonesty and the poor resolution rate for crimes of dishonesty is encouraged by the "head in the sand" approach taken by parents, friends and work colleagues when they ignore theft occurring around them. Some niavely say that these crimes are victimless. This is absolute rubbish, victims of burglaries will often say that, they feel they have been violated.
It is about time there was a nil level of tolerance to theft. By ignoring theft we are encouraging young thieves as they are not forced to face the consequences of their actions and are embolden to go on offending. In addition, much of the theft today feeds the offenders addictions such as illegal drugs, alcohol and gambling and the longer they get away with theft the worst their respective addictions become. I appeal to parents in particular to be more inquisitive about where their children have acquired their new "toy". It is better you take this approach rather than have a very unwelcome visit from the Police in the future.
If you have information about crime/criminal offending or criminals contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use the online message form on the website http://www.crimestoppers-nz.org/ No one will ever know your identity. Your anonymity is guaranteed. You can do something about crime in your community without endangering yourself.
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