Domestic Crime Rate Shows Dark Side of New Zealand Communities

National and regional crime figures released today by police reinforce Christchurch Women's Refuge’s message that as a society we have still not come to terms with the size of the domestic violence problem in our communities.

Latest police statistics show that reported domestic violence is up over 18% nationally and 14 percent in Canterbury. They note that the surge in reported domestic violence is the main contributor to an overall increased violent crime rate of 6% in Canterbury. “This increase is no secret to us” says Christchurch Women's Refuge CEO Annette Gillespie, “but many people don’t want to acknowledge the size of the problem. Domestic violence isn’t going away by ignoring it and if we want to change these violent crime statistics, we have to start within the family.”

The police report also made the link between violent crime and the use of alcohol and drugs. “We see that frequently – these issues don’t happen in isolation. There is no doubt that the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse fuels domestic violence” Gillespie says.

In the last three months there have been 1184 calls to Christchurch Women's Refuge, compared with 657 for the same period in 2009, and its Safe House has been consistently full since October.

Police report the increase in domestic violence incidents as an indication of a greater willingness to come forward. “That may be true, and we know that the recession has definitely had an impact, but what we also know from our clients is that the level and frequency of violence is also escalating” says Gillespie. “I think we have become so desensitised to violence that we accept it as part of our society - through TV, film or sport; we still tolerate violence.

“If you think you aren’t affected by domestic violence, you’re wrong – the family is where a lot of the antisocial behaviour that makes up these crime statistics is learned. We need to acknowledge that violence in our communities starts in the home and finally put some real resource into getting these figures and the lives behind them changed.”

If you or anyone you know is affected by domestic violence, please call 0800 1 REFUGE or visit www.womensrefuge.co.nz

ENDS

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