Lockdown stress adds to domestic violence cases

Victims of domestic violence were reassured they had a safe haven during the latest national lockdown.

Whakatū Refuge manager Diane Strong says the refuge experienced a busy first few weeks as the country entered lockdown.

“It was the contrary to what we thought, we were quite busy this lockdown in those first initial few weeks,” Diane says.

She believes part of the rush was due to the suddenness of going into lockdown.

“Last time we all had 48 hours to prepare but this time we didn’t have that luxury.”

Diane says, as referrals level back to “normal numbers” the refuge is prepared for a second rush in response to the social and economic fallout of lockdowns.

“We will all experience a gradual growth back to higher numbers because of economic pressures. The pressures on the ordinary home environment as people’s hours are reduced or they are made redundant. The economy effect contributes to all those social ills.”

Refuge wāhine and rangitahi programme facilitator Nichola Harvey says tamariki group programmes are unable to continue at Alert Level 2.

She says they will likely not be able to go ahead for another few months.

“It’s a really challenging time for our younger ones being isolated. It took a few months after last year’s lockdown before we could get started again,” she says.

The refuge offers individual and group programmes for local tamariki, teaching children about emotions, coping with trauma and how to keep themselves safe.

Nichola says more people were aware that the refuge was ready and open during lockdown.

“This time people knew we’d be there.”

Police say preliminary data shows that Nelson Police had a small increase in the number of reported family harm incidents since the Covid-19 alert level restrictions came into force.

“While there has been a small increase, family harm reports do fluctuate due to a range of external factors.”

Police say they have been out in communities, working alongside partner agencies, to provide safety and reassurance during the restrictions.

This includes contacting at-risk families, conducting reassurance checks and delivering food parcels where needed.

“We know that the alert level restrictions put additional pressure on families and increases the risk of arguments, or violence from a partner or family member.”

Police assure anyone experiencing harm at home that they are here to help, no matter the alert level.

“We urge anyone experiencing abuse or violence to seek support. If you feel scared, threatened or unsafe please call us on 111.

“We also urge anyone with concerns about a loved one or friend to call us on their behalf.”