Seven family violence arrests at weekend

Kristyn Adamson.
Kristyn Adamson.
A spike of family violence at the weekend, including two ''nasty'' assaults, has Dunedin police concerned ahead of the holiday season.

A woman was taken to Dunedin Hospital after being seriously assaulted by her partner, Relieving Dunedin family violence co-ordinator Constable Kristyn Adamson said.

Her attack was one of 27 reports of family violence police attended in the city during the weekend.

Seven people were arrested in relation to family violence offending, including one Dunedin woman who was arrested twice for breaching a police safety order.

Const Adamson said police usually attended between 15 and 20 weekend incidents and arrested only one or two people.

Inspector Amelia Steele said it seemed a ''spike around family violence'' was linked to drinking.

''Alcohol is a significant contributor,'' she said.

Const Adamson said a number of offences had also occurred at Christmas parties.

A Dunedin man appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday and was remanded in custody without plea until January 6.

He faces numerous charges, including assaulting three people using weapons such as a metal stool, a table and a spade.

The offending came to light when police attended the alleged assault of his partner on Sunday.

Const Adamson said it was difficult for police to tackle the problem as much of it ''took place behind closed doors''.

Dunedin Collaboration Against Family Violence response co-ordinator Rob Thompson said it was concerning so much family violence offending had come to police attention.

''We know that only a very small amount of family violence gets reported,'' he said.

''It has to be very, very serious for somebody to go to hospital for help.''

Police estimate only 18% of domestic violence incidents are reported and, each year, 14 women, six men and 10 children are killed by a member of their family, on average, in New Zealand, according to Women's Refuge statistics.

Dr Thompson said response organisations always expected family violence to increase at this time of year.

''Stressors kind of pile up and people worry about money and violence spikes,'' he said.

''We know that alcohol and debt and gambling are never an excuse for violence but they do make it worse.''

Const Adamson said if people witnessed family violence or were concerned it might be affecting someone close to them, they should call 111.

If they suspected an ongoing problem, they should contact their local police station for advice, she said.

She also had advice for those confronted by family violence.

''They should try and remove themselves from the situation and get themselves to a safe place and call police,'' Const Adamson said.

Dr Thompson called on the wider community to confront the problem.

''People need to take personal responsibility for ending family violence in our communities,'' he said.

''Whether it's getting help for your family or helping other people, if you have got any concerns for safety, contact the police and let them decide how serious it is.

''People aren't experts in risk assessment but the police are.

''Christmas can be a really stressful time for families and we need to not focus on the alcohol and buying gifts and spending money. It's about supporting families and supporting community members - that's what Christmas is really about.''

 


How to help

What you should do when you or someone you know is confronted by family violence.

• Challenge the behaviour - but never put your own or others' safety at risk.

• Offer to support the victim or child and find out what they need.

• Make your home a safe place for them and a place they can come to if they ever need to talk.

• Call the police on 111 if you believe someone is in danger.

• Call the It's not OK information line on 0800 456-450 for advice.

• Provide information anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555-111.

• For more information, go to http://www.areyouok.org.nz/

 


Where to get help

• Jigsaw Wakatipu 0508 440-255

• Rape Crisis 474-1592

• Shine 0508 744-633

• Victim Support 0800 842-846

• Women's Refuge 477-1229


 

 

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