The long felt need for concerted action against the rising incidence of family violence took a step forward with a number of action groups deciding to pool their resources together at two significant meetings held in Auckland last week.
The Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust Inc launched its ‘Victim Support Wing’ aiming to make homes safer and protect victims of family violence.
At a simple but impressive function held at the Freemans Bay Community Centre on November 21, Trust Chairman Jeet Suchdev outlined the objectives of the new initiative and sought community support.
“An increasing number of people of Indian origin have been seeking outside support to sort out their family problems that lead to violence at home. We have had several cases relating to physical, mental, oral and sexual abuse of women, often perpetrated by their spouses and other relatives. While we have tried to solve their problems in conjunction with a number of agencies, it is time to address these issues as a joint effort,” he said.
Mr Suchdev said he has been working with Indian Newslink for more than ten years in providing relief and support to victims of family violence. These efforts included securing work or residence permits to the victims and helping them to start afresh in their life and career, he said.
The presence of Senior Sergeants Rod Salt and Raelene Larson of the Auckland City District Police and their assurance to support such initiative was encouraging.
Salt said that family violence was a growing problem in New Zealand and that there was growing number of victims in the Indian community.
“There are cultural, social and language barriers that must be overcome. Education is the key to progress in this area,” he said.
Among the others present were National MP Dr Jackie Blue, National Party Northern Region Deputy Chair Ram Rai and former Auckland City Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker.
Police statistics placed the number of family violence offences reported rose to 54,104 in 2009, compared to 48,389 cases recorded during the previous year.
The figures indicate that campaigns for zero tolerance in general and ‘It’s Not OK’ run by the Wellington based Families Commission were doing their job.
Mr Suchdev said the new initiative will complement the existing projects of the Samaj, implemented through its Migrant Support & Settlement, Senior Citizens, Youth Support and Cultural Wings.
Action in Papatoetoe
Similar opinions were expressed at a meeting of the South Asian Family Violence Prevention Subgroup facilitated by Papatoetoe Community Advisor Nimi Bedi at the Papatoetoe Chambers on November 25.
Among the participants were Age Concern New Zealand Coordinator Brenda Strathern, Social Development Ministry Family Services Coordinator Jenny Janif, Affinity Services Limited Occupational Therapist Suma Verma and officials representing the Sikh and Christian communities, Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand and Shakti New Zealand.
A victim of family violence, who was also present at the meeting, described the trauma that she had to endure.
“But active counselling and assistance from organisations such as Shakti helped me to lead a new life. I encourage all victims to report their plight to the appropriate authorities and seek support and assistance of professional agencies,” she said.
Some experts said cognisance must be made of male victims as well.
Indian Newslink will continue to coordinate efforts with Government and Non-Government agencies to tackle the problem of family violence.
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