April 2007 - Deborah Morris-Travers

During April my main focus was on communication with Every Child Counts supporters and networks, with Members of Parliament, and with the news media, about the importance of children having the same legal rights to protection from assault as adults have.

I drafted a comprehensive media kit designed to highlight the evidence in support of the Section 59 law change, and address the myths and misinformation that had gained so much prominence in the debate.
I also worked to develop articles for placement in magazines and newspapers.

In addition, I was in regular communication with MPs encouraging their support for the bill.

As part of the wider network of community groups working on to reduce assaults on children, I assisted with preparations for a cross-denominational Church service celebrating children and calling for peace in our families. The service was attended by the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, MPs from all parties, community groups and the news media. Following the service our silent procession delivered a list of 170 supportive Church leaders, to the Prime Minister.

Separately, we also arranged for an MP to visit his local school so that children could ask questions about the place of children in the political process.

I attended advisory meetings with the Office of the Children's Commissioner to assist in the development of a new tool to regularly report on child well-being.

In April, Every Child Counts received confirmation of funding to print new brochures and I worked to finalise the copy for the printer. This was part of preparing for our attendance at the Plunket Centenary Conference in Dunedin in May.

We also started preparing for our own conference, to be held in Wellington in September. And so the work continues!

Download a PDF copy of the new Every Child Counts brochure (PDF - 884kb).

<< back