Programme to reduce family violence

Anaru Perenara knows from personal experience what it’s like for men who are unable to control their temper.

He and fellow social worker Diana Vao are being employed by the Salvation Army Manukau Community Ministries to run a new early-intervention programme for people with anger issues.

The free programme is called Ko Te Kitenga Hou, or The New Vision, and is held at 6pm on Wednesdays starting on July 5.

It runs over eight weeks and will cover topics including anger management, problem-solving, assertiveness and communication, grief and loss, addictive behaviour, and budgeting.

Perenara will work with men on the programme while Vao will support their wives, partners, children and family members.

She will also assist family violence victims referred by police as well as women who are seeking support and skills to manage their own anger.

Men wanting to take part in the programme can do so voluntarily while others will be encouraged to attend by Counties Manukau police and other agencies.

Perenara says when he was younger he struggled to manage his emotions.

‘‘A big reason why I applied for this role is it’s an area I have experience in.

‘‘I come from a really good family, but I made poor choices as a teenager which led to poor decisions as an adult.

‘‘I hope the men I’m supporting look at me as someone who walked a similar path to what they’re going through.’’

Perenara says it’s important to identify what triggers the men’s anger. That knowledge will be shared with their wives or partners so they can help to defuse an argument before it escalates, he says.

‘‘Men can struggle to deal with all sorts of emotions but it’s easy to get angry and just lash out.’’

Vao says dealing with a person’s anger involves ‘‘getting to the core issue of where it’s rising from’’.

‘‘Each person and each problem will be different and we’ve got to look at the cultural aspects. If we can break the cycle it will be a great thing.’’

Ko Te Kitenga Ho is funded by a private trust and the Ministry of Social Development is providing the funding for the Sallies to employ Vao.

Phone 09 262 2332 for more information on the new earlyintervention programme.