Waikato Women’s Refuge unveils new documentary
9 March 2018
Waikato Women’s Refuge unveils new
documentary on domestic violence
Waikato Women’s
Refuge – Te Whakaruruhau’s 30-year battle against
domestic violence will be screened in a documentary for the
first time on Wednesday 14 March in Hamilton.
The
production premieres at Lido Cinema at 8pm on 14 March and
documents the group of local Māori women who formed the
refuge and charts their journey to create long-term change
for families affected by domestic violence.
The title
of the documentary is ‘220 Miles,’ which is a nod to the
length of the Waikato River, and its importance to Waikato
Tainui.
Waikato Women’s Refuge founding member and
CEO Ruahine Albert QSM says the documentary celebrates the
bravery, collaboration and generosity behind the
refuge.
“This documentary highlights the people who
fostered the refuge’s growth from a one-bedroom flat into
the six safe houses and 24/7 crisis service we operate today
in Hamilton.
“I could only have dreamed 30 years ago
that Te Whakaruruhau would grow into the organisation it is
today, having helped over 100,000 women, children and
families since 1986. The people and organisations who have
partnered with us to get us this far have lifted our
team’s vision and thinking and are helping us make a
crucial impact on Waikato families,” Albert
says.
Founding board member Ken Williamson worked with
the refuge for 23 years and says Te Whakaruruhau’s work is
key to breaking the cycle of violence for many women and
their children.
“I learnt from Roni that nothing is resolved by anger. Indeed, she showed me that anger simply breeds greater anger, and violence only leads to more violence. The way to break the cycle of violence is through kindness and care. That’s why my 23 years with the refuge team were so humbling,” says Williamson.
The Waikato
Women’s Refuge currently helps an estimated 100 women and
their children affected by domestic violence each week in
the Waikato alone. ‘220 Miles’ profiles several of these
women and how they survived their abusive
situations.
Jane Cook speaks on the documentary about
her experiences. "I didn't know where to go, I didn't know
what to do. I ended up at the police station and they put me
in contact with the Waikato Women's Refuge. They came and
they took me to a safe house straight away." The refuge then
worked with Jane to help her escape violence and rebuild her
life.
The documentary highlights the refuge’s integrated approach to family violence by knitting together government and non-government agencies - Police, Ministry for Children, Corrections, Health, specialist family violence groups and kaupapa Māori services.
A service that sets Waikato Women’s Refuge apart from other New Zealand refuges is that their work is family-centred and includes working with men who are willing to change. The Waikato Women’s Refuge supports women of all ethnic backgrounds and is not connected with the national women’s refuge collective; therefore, the refuge relies on local support.
People
can contact the refuge to donate items, or to volunteer
their time and support. Please phone 07 855 1569. This is
also the refuge’s crisis line, and help is available 24
hours a day.
For more information on the 8pm screening of 220 Miles and to purchase tickets, visit lidocinema.co.nz. Tickets cost $20 and all ticket holders are invited for tapas and a cash bar, followed by an address from Ruahine Albert who will introduce the documentary.
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