Plea for violence-free Christmas

A Masterton woman will spend this Christmas struggling with the aftermath of being attacked in her own home. Photo / Thinkstock

A Masterton woman will spend this Christmas struggling with the aftermath of being attacked in her own home.

The 43-year-old mother of one was beaten at her home by a former partner, who knocked her out before dragging her around the house by her hair.

The woman said she woke with her attacker standing over her and instinctively fought back despite head and facial injuries, and fled the house screaming.

"I thought he was going to kill me. I was told that one of three calls made to police at the time was from a neighbour living three streets away. I was screaming that loud.

"When I saw the police _ and there was a few of them _ they looked like angels to me. And I'm sure if they hadn't arrived, I wouldn't be here today.''

The man received a nine-month jail term for the assault and related charges, but has since been released on parole.

She said her teenage daughter quit the home they shared in the wake of the attack and "will only sleep with me whenever she does stay''.

The woman remains hopeful her daughter will soon return home full-time, and is confident of creating happy memories with her on Christmas Day this year despite their situation.

The woman said police and other agencies have stepped in to help her since her attacker's release. "I'm so grateful for everything the police have already done and what they're still doing for me,'' she said.

"Some of what's happened since has been difficult but the police have been right there the whole time. They are amazing.''

Acting area commander Sean Hansen said the specialist Wairarapa police family violence and family safety team supported victims at "particularly high risk'' of further violence.

The team collaborates with other community and government agencies on each of the higher risk cases.

Mr Hansen said Wairarapa police tackled domestic violence on many fronts, from first-response officers and detectives, to Youth Aid and the family violence and safety team.

"Every police district has a family violence team dedicated to combating family violence, but we have a team that partners with a number of other agencies and that collaborative approach is pretty unique.

"It's about being pro-active and working toward prevention, and remembering that family violence is everyone's problem.''

Mr Hansen said reported incidents of domestic violence generally increased over the Christmas period, for which Wairarapa police "are ready''.

"We take family violence very seriously. Combating and preventing family violence is a priority and the best gift anyone can give their family is a violence-free Christmas.''

Mr Hansen urged anybody concerned about domestic violence at Christmas to call Masterton police at 370 0378, Wairarapa Women's Refuge at 0800 REFUGE, Victim Support at 0800 VICTIM or if the case is urgent call 111. Wairarapa Women's Refuge could not be reached for comment.