Friday 2nd July 2021
Page 6
PETITION TO PARLIAMENT Two Rolleston College students have started a petition to persuade the Government to put more funding into refuges for men who are victims of domestic violence. Brooklyn Cavanagh and Jade Frankland started their petition about four weeks ago and it has already attracted over 1,000 signatures. Brooklyn is determined to reach the 10,000 signatures required for the Government to formally
consider the petition, explaining why the issue is so important. “Currently it’s only women's refuges who are funded by the Government. This is great for women, but for the 15% of victims of domestic violence who are men, it leaves them with very little support,” commented Brooklyn. Jade is helping drum up support using social media and also by contacting influential
Mayor Sam Broughton met with Brooklyn and Jade to discuss their campaign.
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public figures in the district. She said, “we need as much traction as we can get if we are going to make a difference, it was great to be able to meet with Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton, Broughton who was keen to hear about our cause and offered us support by promoting our campaign”. Domestic abuse comes in many different forms, from verbal to physical and can take place over a short period, or over many years. The one common factor, is that the results of abuse are always damaging and sometimes the only form of help comes from intervention or support from outside agencies. The duo from Rolleston College doesn’t want to see anybody left behind and are seeking equity of support for all genders. Brooklyn said, “domestic violence is often hidden behind closed doors and victims are sometimes afraid, or in the case of men, they may be embarrassed to come forward and seek help, especially if they believe there is not the same support available to them as there is for women.” Jade added, “we want to draw back the curtain on domestic violence and help bring about changes with Government policy to allow men's refuges to be funded”. They both hope all of our community will get behind the campaign, so if you want to help Brooklyn and Jade make a difference please sign their petition.
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