Breaking Silence
Crime, Culture, New Zealand|2021|M COur country has the highest rate of domestic abuse per capita in the world. On average in New Zealand, police attend a family violence incident every five and a half minutes, every year nine women are killed by their partner or ex-partner and 53,000 women are referred to refuges. In this compelling eight part sequel series for Stuff we open wide the issues of domestic abuse in New Zealand, and it will change the way you think about violence against women. Our investigation into stalking reveals shocking statistics and the link between stalking and homicide. Yet in New Zealand, stalking is still currently not a crime. We also shine a light on deep set intergenerational abuse and our investigation into pet abuse illustrates a surprisingly high link between family harm, pet abuse and homicide. Since our country was hit by the Covid-19 crisis, 2020 saw a rapid increase in domestic violence statistics in Aotearoa. The brutality of attacks and severity of injuries has also become significantly worse, say victim advocates. Women are reporting incidents of strangulation four or five times a day at least. One of our series contributors Debbs Murray, formerly an advocate team manager for Shine says the severity of the violence was the worst she'd seen in her almost 18 years on the frontline. Currently Shine is getting at least double the referrals they would normally expect to see, rising from 20-25 per week to 50-55 referrals for serious family violence. “If someone has said they are going to kill you, believe them, they will. It might not happen today, it might not even be this year … but it’s on its way.” These are the powerful words of Simonne Butler, host of Breaking Silence for Stuff; New Zealand’s only web series dedicated to shining a light on the many faces of domestic abuse in Aotearoa. Simonne was herself the survivor of a vicious attack by a former partner that nearly took her life. There is a social responsibility for all of us to be aware when it comes to domestic violence and do something about it. As our short form documentaries attest to time and again, family harm has no social, ethical or financial bounds; it is all of our problem and only together can we change the tide on violence in Aotearoa.
Breaking Silence: Season 2 Trailer
Breaking Silence: Season 2 Trailer
In this compelling new eight part sequel series for Stuff we open wide the issues of domestic abuse in New Zealand, and it will change the way you think about violence against women.
In this compelling new eight part sequel series for Stuff we open wide the issues of domestic abuse in New Zealand, and it will change the way you think about violence against women.
Episode 2: Stalking
An estimated 15 percent of stalking cases worldwide result in homicide. Tina was stalked by her ex- husband for over 3 years. Stalking and cyber stalking are currently not defined by the Crimes Act in New Zealand as an offence.
An estimated 15 percent of stalking cases worldwide result in homicide. Tina was stalked by her ex- husband for over 3 years. Stalking and cyber stalking are currently not defined by the Crimes Act in New Zealand as an offence.
Episode 3: Wiremu Witana
Over half a million people are directly affected by family violence in New Zealand each year. For many violence is handed from generation to generation. Wiremu, with the love and support of his parents, has broken this cycle of abuse.
Over half a million people are directly affected by family violence in New Zealand each year. For many violence is handed from generation to generation. Wiremu, with the love and support of his parents, has broken this cycle of abuse.
Episode 4: Sandra Dickinson
People who are part of the Rainbow community are more than twice as likely to experience partner violence than their straight counterparts. Sandra shares her own story and the unique challenges faced by those in the rainbow community.
People who are part of the Rainbow community are more than twice as likely to experience partner violence than their straight counterparts. Sandra shares her own story and the unique challenges faced by those in the rainbow community.
Episode 5: Debbs Murray
On average, nine women are killed by their partner or ex-partner in New Zealand every year. Almost a victim herself, Debbs, shares her story to illustrate 'coercive control' a pattern of behavior that is designed to exploit, dominate, and imprison..
On average, nine women are killed by their partner or ex-partner in New Zealand every year. Almost a victim herself, Debbs, shares her story to illustrate 'coercive control' a pattern of behavior that is designed to exploit, dominate, and imprison..
Episode 6: Lualima Hansen
Research shows that victims of childhood abuse are twice as likely to enter an abusive relationship as adults. For Lima, who once rejected her Samoan roots in an effort to move on from horrific abuse suffered as a child, her faith gave her the ...
Research shows that victims of childhood abuse are twice as likely to enter an abusive relationship as adults. For Lima, who once rejected her Samoan roots in an effort to move on from horrific abuse suffered as a child, her faith gave her the ...
Episode 7: Pet Abuse
With many refuges being unable to accommodate animals, a surprising fifty three percent of abuse victims stay in violent relationships longer out of fear their animals will be harmed.
With many refuges being unable to accommodate animals, a surprising fifty three percent of abuse victims stay in violent relationships longer out of fear their animals will be harmed.
Episode 8: I Got Your Backpack
Last year there were 53,000 women referred to refuges. For many there is no time to pack and they have just the clothes on their backs.
Last year there were 53,000 women referred to refuges. For many there is no time to pack and they have just the clothes on their backs.