KEY POINTS:
A multimillion-dollar campaign to curb domestic violence is being prepared as homicide statistics show that six women have been killed this year allegedly by their husbands or partners.
The move is similar to national campaigns tackling speed on the roads and drink-driving.
Twelve people have been killed in the first 40 days of the year, at least half of them women allegedly murdered by husbands or partners.
Women's Refuge chief executive Heather Henare said the number of domestic murders was "an appalling start to the year and an absolute indictment on our society ... "
National campaigns on drink-driving and mental health had changed public attitudes, but there had not been a consistent campaign on family violence for years.
"I welcome the campaign because I think we have to do something, but it needs to happen in conjunction with a whole lot of things."
Ms Henare said a "mass media campaign" was one option but the Government money set aside in the last Budget would also finance moves to change attitudes in individual communities.
Only two of the 11 solved cases this year involve an accused who was not known to the victim.
At least 17 children - including adults - have been left without mothers as a result of deaths in the past two months.
Among them are the nine offspring, aged between 13 and 32, of Denise Rosemarie Simeon, 52, who was killed in her Waitara home last month.
Her husband, Bobbie Graham, 51, has been charged with murder.
Agencies working with women and families say the homicide statistics are alarming. They are worried that New Zealanders will become inured to the problem as domestic killings continue to increase.
Police say about 45 per cent of New Zealand homicides are domestic-related.
"With the secrecy around domestic violence murders, they often quickly fade from people's attention," said the national manager of the National Network of Stopping Violence Services, Brian Gardner.
The $11.5 million Government campaign will start mid-year.
Mr Gardner said the "long-term, sustained campaign" was expected to operate in a similar way to road safety campaigns.
"That's what we're needing to see, resources for changing attitudes and behaviour in the community.
"If we get New Zealanders engaged in addressing domestic violence like we have drink-driving I think we can make some huge changes to the issue.
"We don't want [family violence] to become something that we're used to. That really worries us."
The Ministry of Social Development would not discuss the campaign yesterday, saying an announcement would be made soon.
The police national crime manager, Detective Win van der Velder, said six of the 11 solved homicides were domestic-related.
It was not unusual for police to deal with a high number of homicides in January, when there were several "triggers", including Christmas stresses and family pressures aggravated by alcohol, he said.
Arrests have been made in 11 of the 12 killings.
Forensic psychologist Dr Ian Lambie said many factors contributed to the new year's outbreak of violent crimes.
"I think it's pressures, it's stress. In terms of domestic crimes, I think people aren't utilising the services available to get assistance and help, and things are getting out of control."
Social and health services were more extensive than a decade ago but people who may need help were not using them, Dr Lambie said.
"The way to address these things is to look at a whole range of interventions. You go back to early childhood ... high-risk mothers that are pregnant. You go back to providing those people with education and support from within the family, from community groups, and providing more access to services."
