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Running out of bread, milk or cigarettes are among the unsettling reasons domestic violence flares up in Northland homes.
The insight from those on the front line of addressing family harm comes as they prepare for a surge in demand ahead of the href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/northland-kids-to-benefit-from-kiwi-christmas-books-charity/RDJR44DPAJE23IDCHO2PS2MCLE/" target="_self">festive season.
Last December, Northland police carried out 783 family harm investigations followed by 874 in January, which equates to roughly 28 a day.
Family harm support services are saying the numbers this year have soared before Christmas has even arrived.
Kaitāia Women’s Refuge (Whare Timatatanga Hou Ora) chief executive Waimaria Veza said domestic violence sometimes boils over when life stresses take hold.
Fights between partners were not the only cause either.
The region’s reputation as a holiday destination means Northland homes became a base for visiting family, Veza said, which “also places a lot of stress on the families, just having to provide for everyone”.
Veza said as the weather gets warmer, alcohol consumption increases, which contributes to violence too.
The Kaitāia office is the first port of call for police in the area.
“We are a small organisation that covers one of the largest geographic areas in New Zealand,” Veza said.
“We know it’s coming so we try to be prepared.”
Veza felt there was a lack of services for perpetrators in Northland - especially in the mental health and addiction space.
She said the few addiction services lacked resources.
“We’ve got one residential rehab up here and you can’t even get in there because it’s always full.”
Specialist sexual and family violence support service SOS Kaipara agreed that end-of-year pressure increased harm incidents.
Senior adviser Rachel Kain said the increasing complexity of people’s lives is a contributing factor to abuse.
Rachel Kain says Shine is preparing for increased family violence leading up to and during Christmas.
“Coupled with obviously really high need, so the price of groceries, the employment rate, and at the same time we’re seeing the impact of reduced services.”
Northland’s geographic area also increases isolation for victims in rural communities.
“Family violence is isolating by nature and Northland is an area of high deprivation, which also limits the options that people have to be safer.”
The nearest refuge in the region could be three hours away, Kain said.
Kain said the strength of victims should be placed at the forefront.
“Especially coming into a period like Christmas, they might be expecting increased violence.
“Mums will be planning for that and children will be trying to figure out how to navigate their expectations.”
She strongly encouraged people to remain close to victims.
Kain said it was not up to family, friends or neighbours to fix or solve the situation but instead to offer support.
“You might think that leaving [the perpetrator] is the best option or that you can see what’s best for them, but it’s impossible [to understand] from the outside looking in.”
