 Buller Te Rito Family Violence Network
The Buller Te Rito Family Violence Network is a collaborative network of individuals, community volunteers, non-government agencies and statutory agencies who work towards achieving zero family violence in the Buller region.
We meet monthly and our work includes:
- Building a strong network for all agencies concerned with family violence to work together, learn from each other and share ideas and experiences
- Providing information which focuses on changing attitudes and behaviors around family violence
- Providing information that may provide support and education for people who want to make changes in their lives
- Providing information on ways to support family and friends who may be in violent situations
- Being part of national campaigns such as the It’s Not Okay campaign, and White Ribbon Day
We work to raise awareness about family violence in all its shapes and forms, and recognize that family violence is not only physical abuse, but also psychological, economic, emotional, and sexual abuse. Family violence occurs in all age, sex, socio-economic, religious, and ethnic demographics, and costs our whole community.
We feel that each of us has a responsibility to speak out against it.
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“So far in 2009, 41 New Zealanders have been killed directly by members of their own family: 16 children, 13 women and 12 men. This toll does not include victims of ongoing abuse who have committed suicide as a result of the abuse, or non-family members killed when they bravely intervened to try to stop a family violence incident. It is particularly shocking when a person is killed by a member of their own family. The life of the victim is ended by the very person from whom the victim expects love, support and protection”. (Family Violence Death Review Committee Annual Report, 2010)
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Aside from death, many other negative effects are also associated with family violence, for children these include conduct problems, anxiety disorders, depression, suicide attempts, substance abuse, and juvenile crimes (Christchurch Health and Development Study, 1998). Victims who survive family violence are often re-victimised by the lack of understanding they receive after leaving the abusive relationship. Changing this outcome is about changing our attitudes towards family violence, and as a community, standing up and saying ‘Family Violence is not okay’.
http://www.speakoutloud.net/healthy-relationships/warning-signs-of-emotional-abuse/
Contact:
Jade Wihongi
Homebuilders West Coast Trust
PO Box 388
Westport
Email: jade@homebuilderswpt.co.nz
03 788 8065
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