National Youth Policy 2015-2020

4.1 Ensure Youth Health programs are appropriate and relevant so that young people are engaged and their needs are met 4.2: Ensure Cook Islands youth make good health decisions though improved access to information and awareness raising of major health issues and risks relating to:  substance abuse  Sexual Reproductive Health and sexually transmitted infections, and  Non-communicable diseases 4.3: Encourage young people to utilise health services ensuring that services are secure and appropriate to their needs

4.4. Ensure that adequate mental health support systems are available to youth Cook Islands National Youth Policy 2015-2020 17 Priority Area 5: Improving Wellbeing and Welfare Improving the wellbeing and welfare of youth so that they are happier and more resilient We want to ensure that we have a happy and vibrant youth population. In doing so, efforts must be made to ensure youth are engaged in activities that bring meaning to their lives as well as ensuring there are services and support systems that will assist them and build their resilience in times of difficulty and stress. Youth are also vulnerable to peer pressure, bullying, and other forms of physical and psychological abuse, which can have devastating effects on their emotional and mental wellbeing if they do not receive the support they need to address these issues. Moreover, we need to remove the stigma associated with abuse so that young people can report it, or find a way to remove them from that relationship. This policy aims to improve the wellbeing of our young people by providing access to information and support services to assist them during these difficult periods. To achieve this requires a multi- stakeholder approach that engages families, caregivers, teachers, professionals, and communities to work together to provide a strong support network for youths. The transition from childhood to adulthood can be an emotional and particularly difficult time for young people, with many youth suffering from anxiety, low self esteem, and sometimes depression and in the worst case suicidal behaviour. It is important that we acknowledge the challenges of youth and adolescence and change the perception around talking about these challenges and feelings, putting in place programs and systems to equip young people with the necessary information, knowledge and skills to effectively cope with these issues as they arise. Mainstreaming such practices may also be crucial in assisting in identifying and proactively engaging with those with more severe mental health disorders and reach out to those who are ‘at risk’ before it is too late. Abuse and neglect can take place at home, at school, in the community and even at church. To effectively identify stop and address these cases of abuse their must be strong coordination by all stakeholders to work together to stop abuse and protect the youth. Efforts to improve outcomes in this area will also rely heavily on awareness and changing the perception of ‘abuse’ and encouraging a culture of “Zero tolerance” for abuse. As aforementioned, mental health and specific policies and efforts to address mental health issues have only been introduced relatively recently. There has existed for a long time a stigma around mental health issues with misconceptions of mental health disorders meaning someone was “weird” or “crazy” and that acknowledging them and asking for help was a sign of “weakness”. These misconceptions are still pervasive across our society and a huge impediment in having youth engage with counselling, support and mental health services that are available. Dedicated public awareness and education campaigns are required to change the societal perception regarding emotional and mental health to encourage those who are suffering to seek health and support. Cook Islands National Youth Policy 2015-2020 18 To improve the wellbeing and welfare of youth so that they are happier and more resilient, we will:

5.1 Support the emotional development of young Cook Islanders through appropriate counselling and support programs

5.2 Ensure young people are engaged and lead balanced lifestyles by providing extracurricular activities through sports, arts and community programs

5.3 Protect young people from physical and psychological abuse, through strengthening support services and coordination between relevant government agencies, NGO’s and community.

5.4 Encourage young people to seek help and advice and remove the stigma around emotional and mental health issues through better awareness of youth adolescent issues. Cook Islands National Youth Policy 2015-2020 19 Priority Area 6: Youth Risk and Resilience Safeguarding young people and our communities by positively engaging at -risk youths, and adopting a holistic approach to building resilience In recent years, evidence shows that young people have been involved in a range of criminal activities from theft, burglaries, assault and drink driving. Reasons offered by these young people ranged from boredom, peer pressure, or ‘crimes of opportunity (theft). The provision of support networks and programmes to engage and positively influence youth should be encouraged to target those that are vulnerable and at risk of these behaviours. This policy acknowledges the importance of having a ‘safety net’ for youth that ‘fall through the gaps’ and places an emphasis to encourage efforts to provide opportunities for youth offenders to learn from mistakes and improve their lives in the future. The legislative framework dealing with youth in these situations need to support restorative and rehabilitative options, and only resort to punitive approaches in serious cases. A community approach can assist with corrective measures that achieve better long term outcomes for these youth. To achieve this, young people must be engaged in the problem solving process to reach a fair solution that benefits the offender, the family, and society as a whole. We will:

6.1 Identify “at risk youth” and engage them in targeted programs (community, sport, church) to prevent their engagement in criminal activities.

6.2 Reduce reoffending by youth through targeted effective restorative and rehabilitation programs 6.3: Ensure the legal framework allows for fair and appropriate treatment of youth promoting restorative and rehabilitation where possible 6.4: Engage with traditional and community leaders, and government entities involved in addressing youth justice issues to ensure a collective effort is made to adopt a ‘problem solving approach’ that actively engages youth offenders 6.5: Ensure young offenders have access to legal and other support services, information and ongoing assistance Cook Islands National Youth Policy 2015-2020 20 Appendix Situational Analysis- Youth Youth Definition The age range for Cook Islands Youth has been redefined in this policy to 15-24 years of age. Previously the youth age range was 15-34 years of age. Consultations were conducted between 2008 and 2014 with youth, youth groups and agencies that work with youth and the feedback received indicated that a narrowing of the age range was necessary so that there can be better targeting of issues and responsive measures for the specific transition young people face from childhood to young adults. It is in this age range that young people are transitioning to independent members of society with legal responsibilities and obligations including the ability to vote in general elections, learn to drive, gain employment or undertake further studies, form relationships, marry and start a family. It is therefore critical that this policy targets that critical period of transition. Youth Profile A Youth Profile Report was commissioned by the Youth & Sports Division in 2011 based on the 2006 Census Report. It included data from 1991 through to 2006. The main objective of a Youth Profile Report was to establish baseline data for youth in the Cook Islands using the Census Report to provide a comprehensive range of data for analysis and enable comparisons over time on trends affecting young people in the Cook Islands. It is hoped that the Youth Profile Reports (or reports of a similar nature) will enable the ability to calculate forward projections on the youth population in the Cook Islands as a way of designing appropriate and relevant interventions and strategies for positive development of the youth population. Based on the 2011 Census Report, the youth population6 (15-24yrs) represented 15.35% of the total Cook Islands population. 6 Youth age definition 2014: 15-24yrs Fig.1 What is the current Cook Islands population distribution according to ages: Children 0-14yrs / Youth 15-24yrs / 25yrs+ ? 29% □ Children (0-14yrs) ■ Youth (15-24yrs) □ 25+ 56% 15% Fig 1. (above) Illustrates the make-up of the Resident Cook Islands Population as per the various age groups at 2011 Census. Fig 2. Population Trends of Age Groups 15-34yrs, CI: 1991-2011 7000 6000 1059 1333 5000 Number of people 1371 4000 1455 1086 1022 □ 30-34 856 3000 1724 913 □ 25-29 994 944 1563 ■ 20-24 2000 969 1058 1015 □ 15-19 1000 2089 1646 1363 1450 1283 0 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 Census Year Fig 2. This graph illustrates the Population Trends of Age Groups 15-34yrs within the Cook Islands over the years 1991-2011, using data from each Census Year. Please note that up until 2011 Census, the youth population is defined in the CI National Youth Policy as 15-34yrs, this will change for future National Youth Policies, with the youth population being redefined as 15-24yrs. Despite the overall trend of a declining Cook Islands population, Rarotonga’s total population has steadily grown within the last decade. The opposite is true for the Outer Islands where there has been a substantial population decline during the last three Census periods (1996-2001, 2001-2006, 2006-2011), pointing to possible dissatisfaction with living conditions in these islands. Reasons may include lack of post-secondary education opportunities (for tertiary or vocational/technical qualifications), limited employment opportunities, and high cost of living in general. Cook Islands National Youth Policy 2015-2020 22 The proportion of youth throughout the Cook Islands was relatively consistent across Rarotonga (15.71%), the Southern Group (14.19%) and Northern Group (15.29%) at the time of the 2011 Census. A large proportion (72%) of the Cook Islands Youth population is residing on the Capital island of Rarotonga – this is expected, with more facilities being available for education, employment, health and lifestyle. The Pa Enua of the Cook Islands has considerably lower proportions of the Cook Islands Youth Population residing, with 21% of the Cook Islands Youth population living in the Southern7 group and 7% living in the Northern8 group (which equates to 45% of the total CI resident Youth population living on Rarotonga VS 27% of the total CI Youth population living on the Pa Enua). Fig 2. Distribution Across the Cook Islands of the Total Youth Population - Rarotonga / Southern / Northern 21% C Rarotonga 7% Southern 72% Northern Influencing Factors There are many influences in a Young Person’s life that ultimately contribute to who they become - the values they learn throughout life that guide their decision-making; their ability to cope with major events in their life (positive and negative) and take responsibility for their actions; their ability to overcome obstacles and challenges, whilst celebrating the positives in life. 7 South is defined as Southern Group Islands in the Cook Islands 8 North is defined as Northern Group islands in the Cook Islands Cook Islands National Youth Policy 2015-2020 23 Supporting Documents: Behavioural Surveillance Survey among youth in the Cook Islands 2012; Ministry of Health Budget Estimates 2014/2015: Book 1 Appropriation Bill – Appropriations and Commentary. Ministry of Finance and Economic Management; Cook Islands National Youth Policy 2007—2010; Ministry of Internal Affairs. Cook Islands National Census 2011; Ministry of Finance and Economic Management Learning for life – Cook Islands Education Master Plan 2014 – 2023; Ministry of Education; Cook Islands Population and Housing Census 2011; Ministry of Finance and Economic Management Te Kaveinga Nui - National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) 2011-2015 Youth Suicide Prevention Steering Committee, 2012 - Youth and Parent/Caregiver Suicide Evaluation: Based on the Suicide Prevention Surveys, Cook Islands, 2012 Young people of the Cook Islands; analysis of the 2011 population and housing census, Feb 2015 Youth Justice Policy 2013; Ministry of Justice Cook Islands National Youth Policy 2015-2020 24 Key Stakeholders consulted  The Young people of the Cook Islands Cook Islands Government agencies:  Ministry of Internal Affairs  Ministry of Health  Ministry of Education  Ministry of Justice  Ministry of Culture  Ministry of Marine Resources  Ministry of Agriculture  Business Trade and Investment Corporation  Police  Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute  Cook Islands Tourism Non-Government Organisations, Community Service Organisations:  Cook Islands Family Welfare Association  Cook Islands National Council of Women  Cook Islands National Youth Council  Punanga Tauturu Incorporated  CI Red Cross Society  Rotai’anga A special word of thanks to the following:  Mrs Vaine Wichman for your support and guidance in the initial phases of development of this policy;  Maria Tuoro, Miimetua Nimerota and Petero Okotai from the Office of the Prime Minister Policy and Planning Division, thank you for your support throughout the development of this document, it is very much appreciated;  Heather Webber-Aitu for your contributions, support and guidance in the early part of the development process – your timing was perfect!  Sandra Taringa for your support during the review process of the policy  Charlene Hoff for your immense contribution and assistance towards the development of the policy. And last, but not least, our sincerest appreciation to our Youth Advisory Committee: Rebecca Hosking-Ellis (Cook Islands Police), Siniva Marsters (CISNOC), Teresa Tararo (Ministry of Education), Fr Fred Kaina (RAC) and Valentino Wichman (Ministry of Health). Your passion to help pave a better path for our young people through your experiences and your areas of work, we say a HUGE MEITAKI MAATA. Na Te Atua e akamanuia mai ia kotou katoatoa. Cook Islands National Youth Policy 2015-2020 25