The 111 Files: Helping youth break cycle of violence

There are two things I am passionate about, young people and reducing family violence in New Zealand.

Watching young people "get it" and make the changes that will positively influence their own future is one of the things that motivates me in my work.

Working for the New Zealand Police in youth development allows me to do both.

One of the family violence projects I am involved in is presenting a workshop aimed at Year 12 high school students called Loves Me Not.

The aim is to help young people understand what a healthy relationship looks like and the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship.

The workshop also covers issues such as consent (what it is and what it isn't) and how to keep yourself safe from sexual violence.

The workshops are facilitated by a team of three - a teacher, a social services worker, and a member of the police.

Two Rotorua schools will soon be starting this programme as part of the national rollout.

I am really pleased this programme is getting under way as it meets a real need in our communities to help young people keep themselves safe.

Most people think family violence is something that occurs only between adult partners.

Unfortunately the problem is deeper and more widespread than that.

Intimate partner violence is occurring in our younger generations.

In the workshop we talk about how friends and family can take positive action when they discover a loved one has become caught up in a violent relationship.

Another exciting aspect of this programme is the inclusion of bystander education, so young people can support each other.

These workshops have the potential to help break the cycle of family violence that inflicts such terrible damage on so many people in our community.

It is important to teach young people skills that will help them recognise and develop positive relationships with people.

The benefit in engaging young people on these issues is that we have the opportunity to help them establish healthy thought patterns and decision-making skills early when it comes to relationships.

Sylvia Powell is a youth worker employed by Rotorua Police