31st January 2007

Press Statement

“No Area Or Social Group is Immune from Domestic Violence”

Otara’s Manukau City Councillor, Su’a William Sio agrees with Queenstown Family, District & Youth Court judge, Mary O’Dwyer that no area or social group in New Zealand is immune from domestic violence.

“Judge O’Dwyer is absolutely correct in her judgement,” says Councillor Sio.

“It is too easy for people to point the finger and say domestic violence is a poor community problem or a Maori & Pacific problem because that is what we see in the media.”

“We often don’t see in the media domestic violence within families in the wealthier parts of town, and so assume it doesn’t exist there.”

“Many families in wealthier homes or circumstances feel they have too much to lose including the loss of face & reputation amongst their circle of friends or business relations, the impact on children, etc. and so will stay silent.”

“I agree with Judge ODwyer that domestic violence is a societal problem and can touch both rich and poor, pakeha & Maori, Asian and European, young and old, religious and non-religious, beneficiary & business owner, Otara and Remuera residents alike.”

“What we need to do is to get these families to seek help from a counsellor, from community groups who provide support in these areas, from their local church minister, or from another family member before it’s too late.”

“We need to assist families in these situations to ask for help before they end up hurting the ones they love and having to face Judge ODwyer’s court room.”

ENDS

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