Family harm rates still high in Canterbury post-lockdown

Tuesday, 15 September 2020

Women's Rights Commissioner Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo talks to Radio Tarana news editor Sanjesh Narain on the increase of domestic violence during the Covid-19 lockdown. (First published April 2020)

A Canterbury support service is still being inundated with calls for help after family violence rates spiked during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Family violence agency Aviva says its waiting list for families needing help increased 150 per cent during lockdown.

Nationally, there was a 21 per cent spike in family harm cases reported to police on the first Sunday after the lockdown started, compared with the Sunday three weeks prior.

Three months on and Aviva's 24-hour support line is still receiving 30 per cent more calls than before Covid-19 restrictions were introduced.

* Coronavirus: Domestic violence calls up 34 per cent in four weeks of lockdown

* Coronavirus: Reported crime is well down but police fear hidden cases - and a post-Covid-19 lockdown surge

* Coronavirus and domestic violence: 'If that bubble is unsafe you leave'

Reports of family violence spiked during the nationwide level 4 lockdown, and have remained high since. (File photo)

* Coronavirus: Nearly one incident of family harm in Canterbury every half hour**

The number of people seeking help from the agency's family violence walk-in service also doubled in June, after the lockdown ended, compared to the average pre-lockdown month.

Operations general manager Gwenda Kendrew said the increase in violence was 'sad but not surprising'.

'During major crises like this one, people don't always reach out straight away,' she said.

'Instead they go into survival mode, until they just can't any more. That's when they reach out.'

She said elevated tensions brought about by uncertainty and financial insecurity did not end when level 4 lockdown did.

Aviva is hoping to raise enough money to employ another member of staff to meet the increased demand for its family violence services.

'That the need hasn't just gone away is clearly demonstrated by the number of people being referred, or self-referring to Aviva's services.'

The organisation – which is based in Linwood's Eastgate mall – closed its waiting list for non-urgent cases until August.

Kendrew said they were overwhelmed by people needing support.

'Our staff are working at maximum capacity, but we're concerned that we're still not reaching everybody needing support.

'If we can fundraise enough to hire another person, it would make a huge difference in enabling us to keep more families and children safe.'

Aviva supports more than 1200 people in Canterbury each year.

It was due to launch its annual street appeal on Friday, with hundreds of volunteers already signed-up, but decided to cancel it following the resurgence of coronavirus in Auckland.

'The greatest irony is that the effects of this pandemic mean we desperately need to fundraise more than ever,' Kendrew said.

Aviva's fundraising appeal is now happening online, with people encouraged to run their own mini fundraisers. Donations can be made by emailing appeal2020@aviva.org.nz or visiting Aviva's website.

WHERE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAN GET HELP

Aviva (Canterbury-based 24-hour support line) – free call 0800 284 82669.

Women's Refuge (For women and children) – 0800 733 843.

Shine (For men and women) – free call 0508-744-633 between 9am and 11pm.

1737, Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for mental health support from a trained counsellor

What's Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5-18 year olds). Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, midday-11pm and weekends, 3pm-11pm. Online chat is available 7pm-10pm daily.

Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7.

Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz, or find online chat and other support options here.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger call 111.