Credit for work to end family strife

Debbz Murray’s dedication to reducing family violence has been recognised by New Zealand police.

Murray, who is the family violence response co-ordinator for the Matamata Piako Family Safety Network, was awarded a New Zealand Police District Commander’s Certificate of Appreciation last month.

She was ‘‘enormously honoured’’ to be awarded the certificate of appreciation, she said.

‘‘I’m passionate about what I do. The work I do is part of a collaborative response. I just feel that I’m privileged enough to be part of an amazing process.’’

Based at Morrinsville’s Community House, Murray identifies trends, risks and issues that can be acted upon to prevent further victimisation and make the community safer.

Her role involves co-ordinating information from police-attended family violence incidents and measuring levels of engagement and outcomes achieved by families.

This gives both government and community agencies accurate and up-todate information, enabling them to respond in the most effective way to the diverse needs of families.

Rod Carpinter, police prevention manager for Eastern Waikato, said Murray was a pivotal team member who worked beyond her paid position.

‘‘Debbz is extremely passionate, enthusiastic and tenacious in her work of assisting those affected through family violence,’’ he said.

Murray has been working with Eastern Waikato Police since 2011.

She is also a co-ordinator for the Hauraki Family Violence Intervention Network, coordinator and a founding member of the Eastern Waikato High Risk Family Violence Project, and sits on the regional Family Violence Death Review Committee.

She is also a former member of the Christchurch Family Safety Team.

The Matamata Piako Family Safety Network, formed in 2008, is a collaborative of local organisations and government agencies who work with both victims and offenders to prevent further family violence incidents. For more information, phone 889 5355.

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