28 January 2009

Media Release
Preventing Violence In The Home

Preventing Violence in the Home urges people who want to leave a relationship they find controlling and frightening, to call us and discuss in confidence options for leaving safely.
 
Domestic Violence Incident In Dunedin

As yet, we have limited information about the circumstances leading to the brutal death of the young Dunedin woman on Monday.  We do know however, this victim of domestic violence at 21 years old was considerably younger than her partner who was 50, and we also know she was the mother of a 3 year old child; she would barely have left school before she entered what was described as by her friends as “a controlling relationship,” with a man old enough to be her father. 

Preventing Violence in the Home Executive Director, Jane Drumm says “this tragic case highlights the need for people to understand there are well researched risk factors in relationships characterized by obsessive controlling behaviours; which in this case, almost certainly included violence.  It is particularly important to know risk is escalated sharply when women try to leave, as often their partner thinks “if I can’t have you, then no one can.”  In a murder/suicide scenario, the offender will escalate this by attempting to kill himself to realize the sickening belief that “we can be together in death – forever.””

Preventing Violence in the Home urges people who want to leave a relationship they find controlling and frightening, to call us on 0508 DVHELP (0508 384 357) and discuss, in confidence, options for leaving safely.

If you, a friend or family member, or a neighbour may be at risk of domestic violence or child abuse, call the toll-free Preventing Violence in the Home helpline on 0508 DVHELP (0508 384 357) for advice and support, or visit our website www.preventingviolence.orgnz and if a situation is potentially dangerous, people call the Police on 111.

PREVENTING VIOLENCE IN THE HOME

Background: Preventing Violence in the Home is New Zealand’s largest not for profit organisation addressing the endemic and often secret issue of domestic violence in the homes of New Zealand.

We offer awareness, education and professional support to the communities of New Zealand and encourage a safe and violence free attitude towards the lives of our friends, families and children.

Historic: Operating for nearly 20 years our organisation has grown dramatically in response to recent need. We have pioneered screening work with hospitals, with crisis services for children, joint case management of high risk families with the NZ Police, and we are integral to three major national (pilot) initiatives to help deliver safer communities.

Vision: We want to achieve a level of  ‘’zero tolerance’’ to domestic violence and for this to be as natural to all New Zealanders, as putting on a seatbelt or not smoking in public places as these habits are now for New Zealanders today.

We also support a range of essential services, including:

a National 0508 DV HELP (0508 384 357) Domestic Violence Helpline
24 Hour crisis and advocacy support for adult and child victims of domestic violence
a Child Crisis Team for children who have witnessed traumatic family violence; this violence affects children who witness scenes many adults would find impossible to cope with
a stopping violence programme to help educate abusive and violent offenders
co-coordinating local interagency networks to ensure our services work together to keep people safe
workplace anti-bullying programmes
a Safe @ Home programme
DV related awareness training for the deaf (another vulnerable sector of our community)
 

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