Network offers help to family violence victims

A group comprising three women of Indian origin has urged victims of family violence to seek counselling and other assistance and make their homes and the community safer.

Sucharita Varma, Zoya Salim Kara and Jasmine Faiza, trainee counsellors of the South Asian Team at the Papatoetoe based South Auckland Family Violence Prevention Network believe that many Indian women continue to suffer in silence, despite being physically, mentally and sexually abused by their husbands and other members of the family.

“While we understand that income, cultural, social and language barriers may prevent them from speaking out their woes in public, there is no need to tolerate such sufferings. Our network offers them a number of services free of cost and in total confidence. We should have safer families and stronger communities free of violence and such a concept begins at home,” they said.

Ms Kara and Ms Faiza, both from the Muslim community, said that family violence was prevalent in many Muslim families but women remained apathetic to discuss their suffering even among themselves.
“Women have a place of respect in Islam and the Holy Quran advocates equality of opportunity in education, politics, business and all other aspects of life. While many have excelled in various fields, there are still many women who are still ‘bonded.’ We would like to help such women through our network,” she said.

Ms Faiza, who hails from Fiji, said that many women from her country of origin were also not immune to family violence.

“It is time that they were aware of their rights and that help is available. They have the right to lead a safe and violence-free life like others,” she said.

Established about 30 years ago, the South Auckland Family Violence Prevention Network includes representatives of a number of ethnic groups and professions, including iwi, lawyers, law enforcement officials and city councillors. The Councillors meet every Thursday to meet victims and offer their services.

Ms Varma said that their Network can help the suffering women with relationship counselling, protection orders and other programmes.

“These Programmes include ‘Living without Violence,’ Parenting,’ Self-Esteem and Development,’ ‘Family (Whanau) Development,’ ‘Children and Young People’ and ‘Family (Whanau) Support.”