Community "Safe Zones" to be piloted for children and young people

A pilot initiative, Community "Safe Zones", will be launched in two Auckland Council facilities on 23 May 2014. "Safe Zones” are places where children and young people can access information and support for a number of issues including bullying, family violence, relationship and self harm issues.

The "Safe Zones" will be in the Orewa Library and the Glenfield Leisure Centre, with a third in the Takapuna Library opening in August on the renovations to the library are completed. Counsellors or youth workers will be available in the facilities for a period after school finishes for the young person to approach as a drop in support.

This pilot is funded by Auckland Council and undertaken through the collaborative effort of a number of organisations, including local youth providers including Bays Community Youth Trust, CYC Trust and Hibiscus Coast Youth Trust, and the Te Rito Rodney and North Shore Family Violence Prevention Network.

For further information, see Auckland's North Shore Community & Social Services.