Christmas Eve beating tip of domestic iceberg, say police

Almost half of all arrests in Whangarei and Kaipara in November were domestic violence-related. Photo / Thinkstock

A Whangarei woman spent Christmas Day in hospital with severe injuries, including a suspected brain bleed, after police say she was brutally bashed by her partner on Christmas Eve.

The domestic assault was one of several reported in Northland over the festive season and comes as new police figures show that almost half of all arrests in Whangarei and Kaipara in November were domestic violence-related.

Police were called to Anzac Rd Housing NZ flats about 10.20pm on December 24 after reports of a violent domestic dispute.

Detective Dave Smith said they found a woman, aged 38, with serious injuries believed to have been caused when he partner beat her with a blunt object.

She was taken to Whangarei Hospital with severe injuries, including a suspected brain bleed, suspected broken nose, severe bruising, swelling and lacerations to the face and head.

A 38-year-old man will appear in Whangarei District Court tomorrow charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Mr Smith said it was not a pleasant way for officers to start Christmas Day.

Police are also investigating an incident at Oakura, where a man renting a beach house allegedly assaulted his partner, and domestic disputes in Raumanga and Titoki from the weekend.

Northland police revealed late last year that they were dealing with more than 100 domestic violence cases a month and this month Whangarei and Kaipara area police controller Inspector Paul Dimery painted a sombre picture of domestic violence in the north.

At the December Whangarei District Council meeting, Mr Dimery said domestic violence was out of control.

"Husbands beat up their wives and kids in their homes where there are no witnesses. It's usually caused by a combination of alcohol and financial commitments.

"When are we going to stand up as a community and say, you can't do this?"

Mr Dimery said that of the 267 arrests in November, 130 were for domestic violence.

"Most people who beat up their wives and kids are gutless. It is a power thing. If we accept that as a community, it is not a community I would be happy to live and work in."

He said it was a cop-out for people to say they would not step in to stop domestic violence in case they were assaulted or charged themselves.

"The police are not going to charge anyone acting in self-defence or in any circumstances justifying [their actions]."

- APN