Family Violence Intervention Team uses social media to say “no” to domestic violence

Everyone has the right to feel safe at home. Many do not. One in three partnered New Zealand women report having experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence in their lifetime.[1]

“I wonder how we can have such shocking statistics in New Zealand and what we can all do more effectively to improve the situation,” asks Kathy Lowe, Nurse Specialist, Family Violence Co-ordinator/Trainer at Auckland District Health Board (DHB).

Auckland DHB’s Family Violence Team is leading a social media campaign in support of white Ribbon Day on 25 November asking colleagues to stand up and say “no” to domestic violence.
“We do have an important responsibility as health professionals to ensure we are providing excellent care to our patients – to provide them with a possible pathway out of violence they need to help keep themselves and their children safe and free from harm.

“Sometimes we wonder what difference screening makes, but actually asking women about their safety at home does let them know that we are interested in their safety, and that it’s ok to talk about this very personal subject with us. We believe that the hospital can be a safe place to have those important, and sometimes even life changing conversations, especially if someone is not ready to talk to police, or a specialist domestic violence agency like Shine,” says Lowe.

Health professionals from all areas of the organisation have been getting involved by taking a photograph of themselves holding a placard declaring their support for White Ribbon Day and sharing it through their own social media channels and/or through Auckland DHB’s official social media channels and tagging the photos with #whiteribbonday and #ADHB.

The placards include sayings like:
• “There is no excuse for domestic abuse.”
• “LOVE is not abuse. I show my partner I care by…”
• “I’m saying ‘NO’ to domestic violence.”
• “Family violence is not okay because…”

Volunteers will be handing out white ribbons on 25 November on level 3 and level 5 at Auckland City Hospital and in the main building at Greenlane Clinical Centre. There will also be a display set up on level 5 at Auckland City Hospital that day providing more information to staff, patients and visitors.

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