Inf lux of sexual violence referrals

More cases of sexual violence are being reported in Canterbury than anywhere else in New Zealand – especially after last year’s Mama Hooch case, Aviva says.

The Christchurch-based sexual violence support service has seen a steady uptick in referrals for its services in the past six months, with more than 50 coming in each month. Most were sent to Aviva by police, or victim/survivors themselves.

Aviva general manager Gwenda Kendrew said the increase was “surprising yet pleasing” as it showed more people wanted support after being assaulted.

In particular, referrals had increased steadily since the widespread coverage of the Mama Hooch court case in Christchurch last year, she said.

Brothers Danny and Roberto Jaz were sentenced to over 16 years’ imprisonment for sexually assaulting or drugging multiple people at their bar, Mama Hooch. Several victims read statements out in court at the time.

“If anything good has come from that, it’s that it’s encouraging people to seek support,” Kendrew said.

“Possibly through that entire [case], we have continued to see a steady number of referrals greater than what we’ve had before.”

The influx of referrals had been a challenge for Aviva though, with the team working over capacity for months, she said.

“It has been suggested that we put a ceiling on the number of people we support [but] we cannot do that – that’s not how Aviva works.

“Services for sexual violence are few and far between. We’re one of few in Christchurch, so we’re working at a load much greater than before.”

Although the fact more victims/survivors were seeking support was positive, Christchurch was experiencing an unsettling amount of sexual violence, Kendrew said. She had data showing Christchurch has a slightly higher sexual violence rate per capita than any other policing area in New Zealand.

Of particular concern was the number of older people now reaching out for support, she said.

“Some of that is historic, but some of that is recent assault.

“Sexual violence has no boundaries, no barriers and that is what we’re seeing. The broad range of people both in age, their ethnicity and where they live.”

Aviva is launching a new campaign from Wednesday, ‘Asking for it… to stop’, to educate and provide community support for victims/survivors of sexual violence.

The campaign involves practical tools, including language people can use to call out inappropriate behaviour, and workplace workshops businesses can sign up for.

It aims to equip people to feel comfortable enough to say something if they witness sexual violence.

“In the last six months or so we have seen how society continues to see those that experience sexual violence,” Kendrew said.

“We just wish it would stop.”