Motels safe house for violence victims
Motel rooms are being used as safe houses for women and children escaping abusive relationships in Hawke’s Bay.
Hastings Women’s Refuge decided to use motel rooms to help prevent the spread of Covid19.
But it also comes as an increase in family violence during the pandemic and lockdown causes concern.
Family Violence Intervention & Prevention Charitable Trust operations manager Megan Thomassen-Clarke said the trust had used motel rooms previously to house women and children, but rarely.
“Our safe houses are still operating and we have sourced motel rooms for women and children who are in immediate need of a place of safety but are unable to go into the safe houses,” she said.
“The safe houses are not full but because of Covid-19 restrictions and for health reasons we have had to use motels.
“So if a woman comes from a home housing lots of people we would put her up in a motel. We are also using motels for women who have come from other areas.”
The nature of the level 4 lockdown meant women and children in troubled relationships were constantly with their abuser, ThomassenClarke said.
Between March 1 and April 30, 27 women and children in Hawke’s Bay accessed the safe houses, whereas in 2019 for the same period it was 53.
“We believe the reason for the drop is due to the difficulties women are facing in making contact for support,” she said. “The number of domestic violence reports we are receiving is steady and has exceeded 600 for just March and April and is an increase of 104 for the same timeframe last year. This tells us violence in the home has not ceased but has increased.”
She said the increase was of “grave concern”.
“We have looked for innovative ways we can reach out to those women and children who need our support, especially as opportunities to do so may be reduced for some of them,” Thomassen-Clarke said.
Currently three motel rooms are being used to house women and children, with more available if required, she said.
“We strongly advocate for anyone who has concerns about a wha¯ nau/family member, a neighbour or a friend to seek our support or if an emergency to call the police.
“We hope, now we are in level 3, there will be more opportunities for women to seek our support and advice.”
At the same time she said she understood and supported the need for lockdown restrictions.
“The conditions of the lockdown are undoubtedly saving lives from Covid-19.
“The lockdown was a necessity and we support this completely. We are grateful for
Domestic violence has increased in Hastings during the lockdown.
the support of our Government which has recognised the difficulties we as Refuge Services have faced due to these unusual and unprecedented times.”
She said although all staff were working remotely, they were in regular contact with each other and with their clients.
“We have strategies in place to ensure we comply with the government restrictions but also continue to provide high level services to our clients.
“Being in lockdown has increased stresses for everyone and we understand that. We are asking those who are or feel they could abuse their partners, children and other family members to be mindful of this and to seek support.
“We can provide them with advice and coping strategies. We understand the dynamics of violence within the home and can help if you call us.”