NATIONAL COLLECTIVE of INDEPENDENT WOMEN’S REFUGES INC.

MEDIA RELEASE – 4 SEPTEMBER 2007 EMBARGOED 1PM

Deaths and Violence Must Stop

Women’s Refuge says New Zealand families and communities must provide the solution to the domestic violence that is tearing apart the lives of so many women and children.

The Campaign for Action on Family Violence has been launched today in Wellington, as part of ongoing work by the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families.

Women’s Refuge, one of the non-government organisations on the Taskforce, says it hopes the campaign will be the catalyst for families and communities to step forward and show that violence is completely unacceptable.

Women’s Refuge Chief Executive, Heather Henare, says it’s an absolute tragedy that more than 200 women and children have lost their lives in domestic violence homicides in the past decade.

Ms Henare thousands of women and children throughout the country are the victims of domestic violence every year and it must stop.

“We are seeing countless women and their children suffering all sorts of abuse, from physical through to psychological, and it is wrecking lives and families.”

“Women need to know they do not have to put up with this and that they can come forward, and I hope this campaign helps them do that.”

Ms Henare says it is also vital that family, friends, neighbours, workmates and communities as a whole understand domestic violence and confront it.

“It is simply not acceptable for people to turn away from this and say it is not their problem. It is the responsibility of every New Zealander to do their part to ensuring this is a country where women and children can live free from violence.”

“The abusers need to get the very firm and strong message too that they are not going to be allowed to get away with this, and their behaviour and violence will not be tolerated or kept hidden.”

Ms Henare says Women’s Refuge is expecting to see an increased number of referrals as a result of the campaign and will be monitoring the additional demand on services.

“Our services and resources are already stretched, but we remain absolutely committed to helping every single woman and child that comes to us.”

“I am glad there’s a commitment to make additional funding available to cope with higher demand for services as a result of the campaign, and Refuge will certainly be watching that closely.”

“The whole of New Zealand, from the government on down, cannot rest until our terrible record of family violence is confronted and turned around.”

ENDS

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