Julie Chapman is launching Pet Refuge, a shelter that will house animals while victims of domestic violence leave abusers and find safe homes. Photo / Michael Craig
Julie Chapman is launching Pet Refuge, a shelter that will house animals while victims of domestic violence leave abusers and find safe homes. Photo / Michael Craig
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the movement to tackle our entrenched domestic violence problem. Hosted by Frances Cook.
Every year one million New Zealanders are affected by family or sexual violence.
It's a shocking number, and one that both the Government and private groups seem determined to bring down.
The Government has just pledged to spend $320 million on initiatives aimed at preventing family and sexual violence, and breaking the cycle of violence.
The pre-Budget announcement is, according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern the largest ever Government spend on family and sexual violence and support services.
Meanwhile, new research from Women's Refuge reveals a huge number of women delay leaving abusive relationships because they fear what will happen to their pets.
The first Pet Refuge is now being set up, removing one of the barriers to people escaping domestic violence.
