Violence haunts victim
Alison was so terrified of being assaulted, she had a safe room and panic button installed in her family home.
She is one of about 400 New Zealanders receiving protection from Wha¯ nau Protect.
Funded by the Ministry of Justice, but run by Womens’ Refuge, the scheme aims to protect men and women who are at extreme risk of violence in their own home.
In Lower Hutt, Wha¯ nau Protect coordinator Anne Cooge said demand outstripped supply and although her role was to sign up two people a month, she signed seven in January, with similar demand in February.
The chronic lack of housing in Lower Hutt means those in violent situations were often unable to shift because they cannot find a safe alternative.
In January, Stuff reported women across the country were returning to live with violent partners because of a rental accommodation shortage.
Alison, whose name has been changed to protect her safety, faced prolonged abuse from a violent drugaddicted family member and was at the end of her tether when approached Women’s Refuge.
Alison’s abuser was extremely aggressive and repeatedly ignored protection orders.
Cooge recognised Alison faced ‘‘an extreme’’ risk of violence in her own home and signed her up in three days.
A builder created a safe room, upgraded the locks and windows, and she installed a monitored security cameras.
The address is ‘‘red flagged’’ with the police and she carries a pendant with an alarm.
Without Wha¯nau Protect, Alison did not feel safe, slept with the windows closed, and always looked over her shoulder.
The Hutt Valley had the secondhighest rate of reported family violence in New Zealand, Cooge said.
She declined to say how many people in the Hutt Valley were getting help from Wha¯ nau Protect.
‘‘Suffice to say, it is really well used. It is a lot more than we would like.’’
Women’s Refuge Collective chief executive Dr Ang Jury had mixed views about Wha¯ nau Protect.
Although it was successful, it was ‘‘sad and horrifying’’ that family violence was at the level where it was needed.
Positive feedback from people like Alison was gratifying and showed the system worked well, Jury said, and high demand showed there was an ongoing need.
Neither Women’s Refuge nor the Ministry of Justice would say what the scheme is costing.
In May 2018, the Government increased its budget over the next four years by $7.7 million. alarm and