To nominate an Unsung Hero for their community service and for terms and conditions go to: www.unsungheroes.org.nz
A broken night's sleep doesn't do anyone any favours, but Chand Guthrie is quite used to it. At any time of the night, she can get a call to go out and help yet another victim of domestic violence.
Originally from Mauritius, Mrs Guthrie has been working for the charity Shine, which supports victims of domestic violence, since 2008. She saw an advertisement in the paper asking for volunteers, so she applied.
"It was just out of curiosity, really, but I was looking for something to do. I did the eight-week training course and then started as an assistant volunteer advocate.
"Although I have no personal experience of domestic violence - for which I am very grateful - there have been people very close to me who have."
Now a senior advocate, Mrs Guthrie is so well thought of at Shine that her colleagues collectively nominated her for the Herald's Unsung Heroes series. The series recognises the work people do in their communities, and five nominees will be chosen to go on a P&O cruise.
Anne-Marie Shepherd of Shine says Mrs Guthrie's warm and friendly approach endears her to both victims and colleagues.
"She is always available, and is the first to offer to fill in a shift if someone else can't make it."
For safety, Shine volunteers always go out in pairs. Because Mrs Guthrie is an experienced advocate, she is a first point of call for police once they have arrested a violent offender, and she then rings her more junior partner.
Visits are usually made to the victim's home, but on occasion the volunteers need to go to hospital or to the police station.
Paid advocates cover the daylight hours and volunteers get the night callouts.
Although Shine has a nationwide helpline, most of its work is in Auckland. The volunteers frequently encounter distressing situations and emotional and physical injuries.
"I have met people who think it is acceptable to subject others to violence, but to me, it's never all right," says Mrs Guthrie.
"We meet people from all races and types, and all ages, from 16 to 66 and older. And they're not just women. Men, too, are victims of domestic violence, but they are less likely to report it."
* The free helpline number for Shine is 0508-744-633.
The Unsung Community Heroes series is run annually in the The Herald and on nzherald.co.nz in partnership with P&O Cruises. We invited nominations from readers to recognise people who selflessly work to make a difference in their local communities.
Some will be selected to feature in the paper and on nzherald.co.nz. Five will be chosen to join a P&O winter cruise.
