Post: East Bay group outraged by family violence stats

Kia ora, below is an article that talks to the serious issue of domestic violence. The statistics are as they say alarming and credit is due to those groups such as Te Roopu Whiriwhiri who bring these statistics to the awareness of the community and public. Importantly they are calling for family members to seek help quickly. This article endorses agencies working collaboratively together to combat violence. Moving families from violent situations to living change is difficult yet fruitful work. Kia kaha, Taima

EAST BAY GROUP OUTRAGED BY FAMILY VIOLENCE STATS
Wednesday, 01 April 2009 - Whakatane Beacon, New Zealand.
NEW Zealand looks set to beat its own shameful record of domestic violence deaths this year, according to a Whakatane woman charged with combating the alarming statistics.
Raewyn Butler, co-ordinator of Te Roopu Whiriwhiri, a multi-agency collaborative which seeks to address family violence, said seven New Zealanders had already been killed in the first 11 weeks of 2009 as a result of domestic incidents. The toll comprises three women, two children and two men following the death of Wellington woman two weeks ago. In all but one of the deaths, an arrest has been made. Ms Butler, describing the total so far this year as an outrage, said the figures showed that New Zealand had a high rate of domestic violence deaths.
“Each year, on average, 14 women, 10 children and six men die.
“New Zealanders need to wake up to our appalling statistics and think what they can do to prevent these horrendous killings.
“We all need to be alert to warning signs that someone is experiencing violence and could be at serious risk.”
Ms Butler said social services could not be in people’s homes, and it was the family and friends of victims who were most likely to detect warning signs.
“There are some danger warning signs that we can all watch for - threats, especially after separation; that a person is fearful; jealous and obsessive behaviour; signs of mistreatment of children; a history of violence; and stalking behaviour.”
The deaths this year are:
• January 16: A Nelson man killed, his brother arrested.
• January 24: Mark McCutcheon dies after intervening in a domestic incident in Hawke’s Bay.
• January 26: Moana Aranui killed by her former partner in Dunedin.
• February 16: Joanne Thompson killed by her partner in South Canterbury.
• February 17: Cherish Tahuri-Wright killed in Marton, grandmother arrested.
• March 7: Five-week-old baby Jayrhis killed in Taupo, man arrested.
• March 14: Woman killed in Johnsonville in a domestic violence incident.
“In most of these deaths, someone - mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, neighbours, friends, police or agencies - would have known that these victims were at risk. We need to choose to help.
“Domestic violence deaths are preventable, but we all need to take responsibility for the welfare of our communities.
“If people think someone is at risk, they should seek help.”
The Whakatane collaborative includes Family Works, Relationship Services, Te Tohu O Te Ora o Ngati Awa, Victim Support and the police.