Survivors’ Paper Sends A Powerful Message, Says Women’s Refuge

Women’s Refuge says the discussion paper, Protecting Victims, Rebuilding Lives, Sending the Right Message, written by survivors’ lobby group, It’s STILL not ok, must be recognised as an important and groundbreaking human rights document.

Denise Reynold, Kaiwhakahaere for the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges says, “This strong, articulate initiative by survivors of domestic violence is extremely powerful. These are the voices we need to hear and I congratulate this group of courageous women for their commitment to change. They have refused to be defined by the word ‘victim.’”

“We acknowledge the substantial amount of work that has gone into this discussion paper. It reminds us that while much has been done, there is still much to do. Domestic violence continues to be a huge problem in New Zealand. In the last months of 2009, we were looking at an (unofficial) rate of a woman killed every two weeks at the hands of her partner or ex-partner.”

Ms Reynold says the discussion paper raises many of the issues that Refuge workers see on a daily basis throughout the country. She says, “Women’s Refuge continues to bring those issues to the table in our work with government and other agencies at every level. We hope this paper strengthens the validity of our perspectives and helps to bring about change.”

She says many of the recommendations in the paper are excellent and raise a real challenge to the government in terms of its response to domestic violence.

Ms Reynolds says, “Women’s Refuge supports the work of the It’s STILL not ok group. Their report is unique and significant as it is written by survivors of domestic violence based on their experiences.”

Women’s Refuge is preparing a formal response supporting the paper.

Women’s Refuge is New Zealand’s largest family violence organisation, with a valued history of providing comprehensive services for women and children.

ENDS

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