Unsung Heroes: Bright light in dark realm of domestic abuse

A single candle given to her each Christmas is one of the ways Michelle Bratty knows that the work she does is helping.

The North Shore mother of two has been the first point of call for many victims of family violence for six years.

She has dealt with numerous cases, from women abused by their partners to whole families wanting a new start.

Having seen a few "rough" cases, she says she is constantly reminded of the good that comes from her efforts.

"I've got one particular family who give me a candle every Christmas. She was a girl who was only 18 years old.

"When I went to see her, she had her arms folded - bruises up and down them from her boyfriend. She didn't want to talk to me," Ms Bratty said.

"It took a while but she came through and now she's applying for the police."

Ms Bratty works as the family violence assistant with the Orewa police.

She often finds herself travelling up and down the country and delivering food parcels to family violence victims.

A volunteer at the community food bank, Ms Bratty also organised a fund specifically for victims in Rodney unable to be housed in a refuge. Instead, she arranges for the family to be put up in a hotel and cared for until they can be found somewhere to go.

Negative reactions and behaviour have been key barriers to overcome, she says, but a caring ear and careful persistence always win out.

"This work - the environment - can be so negative. It sort of puts it in perspective when you have a woman spitting at you because they think they're going to get a further bash down the track for talking to you. I don't deserve that, but I stick with them - I do it for the love of the job, definitely not for the money."

Daughter Rebecca Bratty, 15, nominated her mother as an unsung hero after seeing the hard work she does for others.

"Mum takes time in her life to do all the things that she thinks are right and things that the community will also benefit
from."

Michelle Bratty says helping those who have been affected by family violence will hopefully bring out more positive people willing to help too.

"I've had people come back wanting to help others - wanting to give to a fund that will help those who have been through what they've been through.

"That's paying it forward - that's what we need more of."