Sergeant Gurpreet Arora
Auckland, September 3, 2020
(Image Courtesy: Council of Europe)
Family Violence is a complex problem and one which occurs in all parts of our society.
Family Violence can be physical, sexual or psychological.
It is not a private matter when people are being harmed.
Economic and social factors due to the Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in an increase in reported incidents of family harm.
Increasing interaction
Home social interaction has increased with children being away from school, parents working from home and the rest of the family spending more time with one another.
This could create situations of disagreement on small matters which lead to family violence.
Be aware that your children are witnessing the harmful behaviours of elder in the family home. They will pick up the words, tones, moods and actions displayed by the elders and it could affect them.
Violence is never okay and we want all victims to be assured that if they come forward, their voice will be taken seriously and treated sensitively.
If you suspect someone close to you is a victim of family violence or feel something is not right, it is okay to act on it – you could save a life.
If they are in immediate danger, we urge you to call the Police immediately on 111.
Togetherness, care for one another and support are the pillars on which you can build strength to overcome issues created by economic stress as well as social limitations.
If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, there is help available.
The following agencies have the language and cultural capability to meet your needs.
Sahaayta Counselling Services (09) 2804064; Gandhi Nivas (for men) 0800-426344; Roopa Aur Aap (09) 6204606, Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust (09) 6221010, New Zealand Sikh Women’s Association (09) 270-0798, Safer Aotearoa Family Violence Prevention Network 0800-367942 Shakti 0800-742-584
Our Staff Reporter adds:
Rising Menace
Family Violence is a rising menace throughout the world and New Zealand is no exception.
Every three minutes or so, someone, somewhere in this country is harmed and the Police field calls about this problem more than anything else.
The Government brought into being the Family Violence Act 2018 on July 1, 2019, redefining Family Violence with provisions for pressing criminal charges and prosecution of perpetrators and swift carriage of justice.
But it does not go far enough to address the real problem: Supporting victims in culturally enclosed communities; and victims who ensnared by the very system that intends to protect them. There is therefore a need for organisations that understand female victims (who are by far a majority), helps them to seek palliatives from their despicable predicaments and enable them to become economically and emotionally independent.
Changing force of Law
Closer attention by the forces of law and order would see a decline in family violence worldwide. Over the past few years, coppers in almost every country have abandoned what is known as ‘the tea and sympathy approach’ to abuse. These days, the Police treat violent partners in much the same way as the American authorities treated Al Capone: “If we can’t get him for beating up his wife, what else can we get him for?”
We should not underplay the importance of introducing tougher laws to bring the perpetrators to justice. For, what is a society if it features homes that are less safe than public places, say a pub, where brawls are common?
We certainly do not want our homes to become watering holes with fountains of violence erupting beer after beer.
We would like to see organisations such as those mentioned above to be well-funded and strengthened to service our communities better.
Sergeant Gurpreet Arora is Family Harm Partnership Liaison Officer at Whangaia Nga Pa Harakeke based in the Counties Manukau District Police.
