High school students take on domestic violence in the commmunity

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High school students in South Auckland are taking on domestic violence in the community by implementing the "It's not OK" campaign in the school.

Mangere College was the first school to join the campaign and it had developed a number of student-led initiatives to help prevent family violence that students might be experiencing at home, the school said.

Initiatives included student volunteers who had become "champions" that their fellow students could approach for confidential advice on how and where to seek support for family violence matters.

One student champion, Desaray Williams, said joining It's not OK and implementing the campaign's measures across the school was a public statement and commitment by students against family violence in their community.

"We were shocked by the rates of family violence in New Zealand," she said.

"We want to make a difference in our community and spread awareness of how others can be part of the solution to this issue, which affects every community."

Desaray challenged other schools to join the campaign and "create communities that are free from family violence".

Mangere College principal John Heyes said he was extremely proud of the way the students worked to make the campaign happen.

Ministry of Social Development's Family and Community Services deputy chief executive Murray Edridge said the ministry was proud to be partnering with Mangere College through the anti-domestic violence campaign.

"Young people can influence their peers, their families and their communities and it's through this initiative Mangere College is helping to create future families that say violence is not okay," he said.

The launch today at Mangere College brought together all the supporting agencies including 'It's not OK' campaign, the NZ Police and Family Works ? an organisation providing social services to victims of family violence.

Senior Sergeant Christopher Barry from Counties Manukau police said family violence happened in every community and it was initiatives shown by the Mangere College students that helped to give a serious social problem visibility.

"We know a lot of family violence is not reported to the police or social services and we want young people and their families to know where to turn for help," he said.

"Family violence is an issue that must be taken seriously."