Wairarapa town condemns abuse

It's Not OK in Eketahuna -- t-shirt for the town's anti-domestic violence campaign. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

It's Not OK is a growing culture in Eketahuna.

More than 60 people in Eketahuna and surrounding areas are trained as "champions" to combat domestic violence, thanks to the town's It's Not OK campaign, which was launched last month.

Coordinator Bridget Percy secured $8000 funding from the Ministry of Social Development to launch the campaign locally and train up the local champions who now have a greater understanding of what domestic violence is and how they can help perpetrators and victims get help.

"It's very tricky in rural communities like Eketahuna and the surrounding districts because victims really are stuck.

"They're stuck financially, they're stuck socially, and there's still such a stigma surrounding domestic violence. People don't tend to feel they can talk about it and get help."

Ms Percy said the It's Not OK campaign is a community initiative and the champions are well-respected locals who other people can trust.

"They're not expected to be a social worker or a counsellor, or get involved in other people's problems, but if you don't get it out in the open and raise awareness about the different types of violence -- not just physical -- the issue won't be solved."

Ms Percy said the campaign's anti-domestic violence message has particular significance over the Christmas holiday period.

"It is traditionally a time when there is a spike in domestic violence, because of the stress of the Christmas period and an increase in the amount of alcohol consumed."

Last year, New Zealand Police recorded a family violence investigation every five-and-a-half minutes and it is estimated that 76 per cent of family violence incidents are not reported to police.

The focus of the It's Not OK in Eketahuna campaign is to combat psychological, emotional and financial abuse, as well as physical abuse.

"We want everyone to feel safe that they can have 'the conversation' about domestic violence and for everyone to know there is help available, that we care, and that no-one deserves to be abused," Ms Percy said. "We know abuse loves secrecy, so we believe the more open a community is about this topic the better because, unfortunately, everyone in New Zealand knows someone who has been, is being, or will be abused by someone who supposedly 'loves them'."

The next step will be to organise a youth event in the New Year and get signs and posters up around town spreading the message.