Family Violence
MidCentral Health is dedicated to the prevention of family violence. It was one of the first District Health Boards to appoint a dedicated family violence intervention project manager to assist staff working with patients living with violence.
Two young children playing at the water's edge.
MidCentral Health's health professionals are also trained to identify and help family violence victims.
In 2002 the Ministry of Health (MoH) wrote ‘Family Violence Intervention Guidelines’ (accessible through the Ministry of Health website) detailing how health practitioners can proactively address family violence including child abuse.
In response to the MoH’s demand for action MidCentral Health (Palmerston North Hospital and Horowhenua Health Centre) have taken the following actions:
- Placing MidCentral Health as a firm and committed member of the wider caring community by appointing a dedicated family violence intervention project manager who provides:
- Bi-monthly training on the signs and symptoms of abuse and what actions should be taken once abuse has been diagnosed and/or disclosed
- Ensuring that organisational policies and departmental procedures are applied to practice by way of audit/evaluation and education
- Setting up and over viewing a robust I.T abuse alert flagging systems for some adults and all children who are referred to Child Youth and Family Services
- The family violence intervention project manager ensures that most areas of the hospital are adequately resourced with up to date information
- Promoting routine screening of patients for domestic abuse
MidCentral Health is only a small part of a very big network of government and non-government organisations concerned with keeping New Zealanders healthy, well and safe. For information on the community network for Palmerston North, refer to the MAIN directory for Palmerston North and the HALT directory for Horowhenua. Alternatively, call the national stopping violence free telephone service for advice and information.
Family Violence Statistics
Homicides from family violence comprise over 50% of murder rates in New Zealand. One out of three to four women are experiencing domestic violence (hereon in referred to as Domestic Abuse) and on average 12 women die yearly from this growing epidemic. Children fare no better with an average of 9 children dying at the hands of their caregivers and thousands more hurting daily even hourly, from abuse related injuries.
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Last Updated 28/06/2010