A Rotorua mum who paid a security guard to protect her pregnant daughter from an abusive former partner would do it again despite the cost.
The mother, who can't be identified for legal reasons, said the family had a quiet Christmas and New Year because her daughter's former partner was being held in custody on remand at Waikeria Prison. He is awaiting sentencing after pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching a protection order.
The mother had hired a security guard to protect her daughter from the man in November at a cost of $25 plus GST an hour.
Her protector, Patricia Wilson from Community Security Services, told the Daily Post in December that soaring family violence rates had seen her called on more by women to protect them from their abusive partners and stalkers. She has had seven of these clients in past three years.
The family took up Ms Wilson's services for several weeks at the end of last year, escorting the pregnant girl to her appointments, to town and was on call. They paid more than $400 for the service.
Since appearing in the Daily Post, Ms Wilson said several women and community agencies had approached her asking for her business card.
She said her work with the pregnant girl had paid off because the girl's former partner and his family had stopped harassing her.
"The family got it through their heads that they could not intimidate, bully or abuse someone when they felt like it ... it's done the trick and the [victim's] family are happy about it. They can relax."
The pregnant girl's mother admitted it was going to be a quiet Christmas at their house because of the money they had to pay Ms Wilson.
But despite the cost, she said she would do it again if the former partner continued to breach his protection order once released from prison.
"We will see what happens when he gets out."
- THE DAILY POST