The following is from the online petition which can be found by clicking here. If you already signed it 12 months ago please read the update and circulate to your networks. HELP need our help…
Petitioning Prime Minister:
New Zealand Government: Stop the closure of Auckland’s 24/7 sexual violence crisis service
Petition by:
Kirsty McCully and the Auckland Sexual Abuse Help Centre
UPDATE: Prime Minister John Key has just done a devastating backflip.
It is with deep sadness and anger that I write to let you know Auckland’s 24 hour rape crisis line is under threat of closure –less than 12 months since 7,000 of you signed my petition that forced PM Key to promise its survival.
Please sign and share this petition to help save the essential service. And keep PM Key to his promise!
Auckland Sexual Abuse Help is the 24 hour crisis service for those who report rape or sexual violence in Auckland. Unless the NZ government does something urgently to provide proper funding to keep this service operating, it will close in January – less than a month from now, after 30 years providing professional counselling and support to rape and sexual violence survivors. Members of the public can make the government hear how important this service is by letting the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice know they need to take responsibility for keeping this crucial service open, and funding it properly.
Save the 24 hour crisis line – speak up in support of Help for sexual violence survivors.
Send a message about why signed the petition directly to John Key on facebook here: http://on.fb.me/vaQ30r
And join the Facebook group to help stop the closure https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/300554253318529/
They got their funding from the government!
Thanks to everyone who participated….I expect they will need a similar level of assistance next year when they face the next funding crisis. God it’s relentless. Thankfully the staff are dedicated, but I can’t help but wonder how much energy is being wasted on the funding scramble rather than client support or the all important prevention work – not their fault of course.