Refuges full for Christmas

Press, 22 December 1988, Page 7

Refuges full for Christmas

By

DEBORAH McPHERSON

Christmas may not seem festive for many Christchurch women contending with domestic violence this year. Both the Battered Womens’ Support group and other women’s refuges in Christchurch say they have been busy in the last month, and expect a further increase in women seeking refuge from domestic violence early next year. The increased pressure of unemployment in the community had been reflected in a record number of women, many victims of serious assault, coming to Battered Women in November, said the co-ordinator, Mrs Doris Church. Up to 66 women were helped,

compared with 50 last year. The second busiest month was August, when 63 women were helped, compared with 49 last year. More older women were also seeking help, said Mrs Church. The Christchurch Women’s Refuge, which has two safe houses, including the Otautahi Maori Women’s Refuge, and the Christchurch West Women’s Refuge, which has one safe house, reported full or nearly full houses.

A spokeswoman for the Christchurch refuge said most women, however, preferred to keep their families together over Christmas and would endure the violent situation during that time. It was a lonely time for many

women who did leave their partners, because they were often too afraid to contact their family in case their husbands or partners found out and tried to reach them. A spokeswoman from the Maori Women’s Refuge said the safe house was full, but would probably ease towards Christmas.

"It is worse in the new year when people realise they have no jobs and no money." The refuges would appreciate any gifts of food or presents for children.

The Battered Women’s Support would be providing extra emergency accommodation to cope with the increased numbers leaving their homes.