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MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
13 July 2006

Christchurch Agency Joins National Campaign To Keep Children Safe

A Christchurch agency working to keep at risk children safe, is part of a national campaign called 'Kids are Unbeatable'.

The Family Help Trust is affiliated to jigsaw (formerly Child Abuse Prevention Services), a national organisation that is partnering with The Body Shop in a major campaign to raise funds and awareness about child abuse in New Zealand.

On average 9 children die as a result of maltreatment each year. New Zealand is third worst among OECD countries for child murders.

The Family Help Trust has been successfully working with Canterbury families for the last decade, helping high-risk families address issues which can contribute to a dysfunctional and potentially unsafe environment for children.

FHT Director, Libby Robbins, says it is encouraging that the drive to challenge and change the appalling child death figures in New Zealand has not died out following the outcry after twin boys were killed in Auckland last month.

"Often after a tragedy like the one in Auckland, there is condemnation and much brow beating but that can quickly dissipate and we hear nothing more until the next one," she says.

The Body Shop and jigsaw will be supported by other child-focused organisations including Save the Children, UNICEF, Barnardos and Plunket. The 'kids are unbeatable' campaign will be launched at 12 noon on 1 August in Civic Square, Wellington.

ENDS

For further information, please contact
Ali Jones PR
PO Box 2362
Christchurch
New Zealand
tel: 03 356 0010
mobile: 027 247 3112