What is Happening at Shine

Shine, and all NZ domestic violence and sexual violence crisis response services, are ‘essential services’ so are continuing to operate during the COVID-19 lockdown at Alert Level 4. This means:

You can ring our Helpline for domestic violence information and support for yourself, or advice about helping someone you know, at 0508-744-633. This number is answered 7 days a week, 9am to 11pm. If it is busy, please ring back. Click here to find out more about how we can help you.

NOTE: If there is an emergency, and someone is being hurt or threatened, ring Police on 111.

Refuge/safe house accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence is still available throughout the country. Ring our Helpline for more information.

Other Shine services are continuing, although some services, such as our advocacy and men’s non-violence programme, are not being delivered in person, but we can offer phone support. If you have questions about how to access these, please ring the Helpline.

Go here to read more about how to help someone you know.

• It's Not OK info line: 0800 456 450 - 9am to 11pm every day
• Women's Refuge crisis line: 0800 733 843 - 24/7
• Hey Bro helpline: 0800 Hey Bro (439 276) for men who feel they’re going to harm a loved one or whanau member - 24/7

The coronavirus pandemic may see a rise in domestic violence incidents, according to Police and family violence specialists. Home is not a safe place for everyone, especially for domestic violence victims who may have to work from home or self-isolate at home with a partner who is abusive.

Shine's Holly Carrington told Stuff news that 'as people became isolated from family, friends and support networks, they would be more at risk of abuse. She urged people to be proactive in keeping in contact with family, friends and neighbours, even if they couldn't see them face to face.'

As reported in The Spinoff, 'People experiencing domestic violence in the lockdown period can be assured that crisis services will be available. Both Women’s Refuge and Shine have joined a working group to put in place extra support, which may include motel accommodation and increased remote services.' 

In the New Zealand Herald Holly said not only do we need to look out for each other but also take care about how we check on a person's safety, as it was 'likely abusive partners would be listening in on phone calls and monitoring text messages or emails during the lockdown.'

You can read the full article on Stuff: Coronavirus: Police plan for spike in family violence

And the full article on The Spinoff: Where do domestic violence victims go during the COVID-19 lockdown?

You can read the full article in the New Zealand Herald online: Covid 19 coronavirus: Family violence tipped to rise, but help services are there 24/7 during lockdown

If you're concerned about having to work from home or self-isolate at home with an abusive partner please call the Shine helpline 0508744633 to discuss how to stay safe. It's free from any phone in NZ. Open daily 9am-11pm.

Other helpline options are Women's Refuge at 0800 733 843,  

and Are You OK Infoline at 0800 456 450.  

In being awarded the DVFREE Tick ASB demonstrates its commitment to a domestic violence-free workplace where staff can feel safe and supported.

Anna Campbell, ASB acting Executive General Manager People says she is proud of the work the company has done to reach this milestone.

“We’re in the privileged position of being an organisation that can affect and influence change in our communities for the better. Working with Shine and achieving this DVFREE Tick is something which we hope will have an impact beyond our organisation and will encourage other companies to join as well. Our people are our priority, and ensuring we have a workplace that supports anyone who is affected by domestic violence is incredibly important to us,” says Campbell.

“To date, more than 200 of our People Leaders have been trained to support people affected by domestic violence in the workplace, which is fantastic. The team will now continue to train managers over the next 18 months, with the plan to have the majority of our people trained by June 2021,” says Campbell.

In order to achieve the DVFREE Tick, an employer must meet the DVFREE Tick criteria in the content of policy, procedures, information and awareness raising for all staff, and training managers and ‘First Responders.’ ‘First Responders’ are key staff trained to support staff who experience domestic violence, including creating workplace safety plans for affected staff.

Shine’s DVFREE and Policy Advisor Holly Carrington says, “As a collective force, employers can play a massive role in addressing New Zealand’s epidemic of domestic violence.” 

“The team at ASB Bank has been very focused on creating an effective staff domestic violence programme. I am thrilled to congratulate ASB for being awarded the DVFREE Tick in recognition of the steps they have taken,” says Carrington.

Shine’s free guidelines for employers and information about DVFREE services and the DVFREE Tick are available at www.dvfree.org.nz, and can help employers take a best-practice approach, while also meeting new legal obligations under the Domestic Violence Victims Protection Act 2018 that went into force 1st April this year. 

Employers awarded the DVFREE Tick are listed here, with more working towards the DVFREE Tick. Hundreds of employers have engaged with DVFREE training and policy consultation services, and well over one thousand have downloaded the DVFREE Guidelines for Policy and Procedures since January this year. 

PHOTO: ASB Wellbeing Manager Jane Boyd, Executive General Manager People Anna Campbell, Policy and Projects Advisor Hannah Kelly and Shine DVFREE Coordinator Margaret Fitzgibbon

Shine’s General Manager Jane Drumm is semi-retiring and stepping back from her GM role on 6 December. After a well-earned break over Christmas and into the New Year, Jane will continue to work with Shine on a flexible basis doing specific projects and advisory work.

In 22 years under Jane’s leadership, Shine grew from four staff and a budget of $180,000 to a national organisation with more than thirty staff and a budget of more than $3 million. Jane undertook two major overseas study trips to look at what is working to stop domestic abuse in the United Kingdom, which was under a Winston Churchill Fellowship, and in North America. Using what she learned overseas, Jane initiated a number of Shine’s innovative and unique services. In 2018, Jane was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for services to victims of domestic violence.

Here are a few things that her colleagues have to say about her:

“I love working with Jane Drumm, who is a most extraordinary, creative, intelligent, kind, crazy, hilarious person. She has had a profound influence on the domestic violence field in New Zealand by reading widely, thinking deeply, applying her knowledge, developing ideas, and being determined to help people to live safer lives.” 

- Jill Proudfoot

“To me, Jane is a ‘visionary’. She is a person with original ideas about what the future will or could be like. Even more important to me is that she has a big heart and really deeply cares about people at Shine and people we support in the community. On a personal level, over the nearly 20 years that I’ve worked with Jane at Shine, she has always been there for me when I needed her support and aroha.” 

- Holly Carrington

Shine’s more than 50 staff and volunteers will carry this critical work forward. Sally Ward, Senior Manager Education and Training, will be stepping up as the Interim General Manager of Shine.

Shine a light on domestic violence during Shine’s Light it Orange week in March.

You can help victims of domestic violence get safe and stay safe by signing up to Light it Orange

Create your own Light it Orange event to help raise funds. With your help, we can reach more victims with the support and resources they so desperately need. 

Many domestic violence victims Shine works with are in imminent danger of being seriously injured or killed. Shine advocates help get them and their children safe. 

Every $250 you raise can cover the cost of an advocate’s urgent callout to a family after an arrest. Funds raised in the regions will ensure more people learn about our vital free and confidential helpline so that they can get the help they need.

This year, you can find even more great resources to support your fundraising events, including digital infographics and content to share. Your Light it Orange fundraiser can be as simple as an orange-themed morning tea at your workplace, church or home or an orange mufti day at school for a gold coin donation. You can run a bingo or quiz night. For more fun and simple ways to fundraise, get inspired by these Light it Orange fundraising ideas. 

You can also join ‘Team Shine’ for Ports of Auckland Round the Bays 2020 on 8th March, which marks the start of Light it Orange week. If you are outside of Auckland, you can still join Team Shine by finding a local event you can get involved with.

Shine works with:

• victims and their children to get them safe and keep them safe
• people who use abuse to support changing their behaviour
• frontline professionals such as police and nursing staff to help them identify and support victims
• businesses who want to offer effective support to staff experiencing domestic abuse 
• secondary school children who want to understand the difference between healthy relationships and domestic abuse

You can support Shine's work and have fun with your colleagues, friends and family to help create safer homes in New Zealand and  sign up to fundraise.

 Shine was delighted to host Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall and representatives from organisations working to end domestic violence and support victims last Tuesday. 

The Duchess of Cornwall is committed to highlighting the issue of domestic violence and lending her support to the work of domestic violence agencies, like Shine. The Duchess hoped her visit would shine a light in the media on domestic violence.

“It’s so important for voices to be heard. When I sat down and listened to some of these tales they were just shocking, shocking. Hopefully today we can up the ante.”

Representatives from the NZ Police and Te Roopu O Te Whanau Rangimarie O Tamaki Makaurau were present, as were Westpac and the Ministry of Justice, early adopters of Shine’s DVREE workplace training to support people experiencing domestic violence.

In a private meeting with the representatives at Shine, The Duchess heard about topics specific to New Zealand including recent changes to legislation, such as the new offence of strangulation and the increased workplace obligations, and culturally responsive services for Maori in responding to domestic violence.

Shine GM Jane Drumm spoke to Radio New Zealand prior to The Duchess of Cornwall's visit. Jane said The Duchess of Cornwall's visit represents a huge shift in attitudes towards family violence.

"[Twenty years ago] when I first started family violence was a secret, it was hidden. No one wanted to talk about it. And now we have got a member of the Royal Family, who is not only interested in the UK but actually has made a point of visiting two separate family violence organisations in New Zealand. And is wanting to talk about it and raise awareness as a member of the Royal Family but also as a woman. And I could not have imagined that twenty years ago or even ten years ago."

You can listen to the Radio New Zealand interview here.

A selection of other online media coverage of the Royal Visit:

Watch a video of the visit on The Herald Online.

Watch TVNZ 1News (Shine visit starts at 1:29)

Read nowtolove.co.nz article 

The guest books at Shine’s Auckland refuges are testament to the many lives you, our supporters, have helped save. We’ve selected three quotes from women happy to share their words with you:

“My time at Shine was amazing and I’m sad to be leaving to be honest. Staff here were very caring and interested in helping you through your situation as to why you are here. Being at Shine refuge made me realise my worth, how strong I am and they helped me when everyone had given up on me. I’m very thankful. 

“Also staying here I have made some lifelong friends that I’m grateful to have met, staff included.”

***

“I just wanted to thank Shine for everything. Words cannot explain how much my children and I appreciate everything you did for us. Staying here gave me stress free (time) and I had times to have a good sleep. Kathi, thank you for standing by me and guiding me through this journey. I know it’s not over yet but I feel like my new beginning starts here. I can’t thank you enough. You are amazing!!! And from the bottom of my heart, Thank You. 

“We really have enjoyed our time here and have learned a lot.  Shine, Thank You.”

***

“I am grateful to Karen for her warmth, experience, energy and professionalism in supporting me. I was able to get a protection order, self-represented and supported by Karen. The warmth and safety of the home and significant presence and mana of Karen in the home resonates when she has left for the day. She really did go above and beyond the call of duty driving me to the courts to get my applications in. Really appreciative for that. It really is the people and management of the place that made this a success for me moving forward.”

***

Join Team Shine for Ports of Auckland Round the Bays 2020 to shine a light on domestic violence. 

Round the Bays is a fun run but for our more competitive supporters, we’ve added a challenge to become Shine’s Champions of Change 2020… see details below. 

If you’re ready to run domestic violence out of town then join us:

Cruelty to animals is common in domestic violence. People who use violence will often threaten, injure and even kill a pet to control family members. Most cannot take their pets with them when seeking refuge so fear for their beloved pet’s safety creates a major barrier to leaving.

In late 2020 Pet Refuge will open New Zealand’s first shelter dedicated to providing temporary accommodation for pets affected by domestic violence. Shine will refer families who need a safe place for their pet to stay to Pet Refuge, so they can start new lives together in violence-free homes.

To find out more visit the Pet Refuge website

More than 90 people rolled against domestic violence in the inaugural Shine Bowlathon on the evening of Sunday 25th August at the Extreme Wairau bowling lanes. It was a fun evening with pizza, prizes and plenty of fun.

And together with the support of generous family, friends and colleagues, our bowlers collectively raised more than $11,000! This will help an incredible 47 families escape domestic violence. Thank you so much!
Congratulations to the following winners - individuals and teams who gave outstanding performances… 

Top Fundraising Team: Browns Bay Bowlers

Top Fundraiser: Anna H. from Starship Strikes Back

Top Fundraiser (unique donations): Annu Kaushik

Top Bowler: Seta Vaka

Best Worst Bowler: Lucy James

Best Team Name: Pretty Poisons

Best Team Costume:

1st  Starship Strikes Back

2nd Pretty Poisons

3rd  Browns Bay Bowlers

We would like to especially thank the following fantastic organisations who generously provided goods and services:  

BallooNZ and The Beauty Clinic for the auction prizes

Mr Rental - Wairau Park for the speaker and mic

Withers & Co for the goody bags

For the great items that went into the goody bags:

General Mills – FibreOne

Sals Pizza

Cool Ridge

Loaf

SOS Hydration

Cadbury

Egmont Honey

Brothers Beer

And a big thank you to Smile Dealers who took photos of teams as keepsakes.