Covid-19: Don't let pets stop you leaving in level 4, family violence victims urged
Thursday, 26 August 2021
Domestic violence victims are being urged not to let pets be a barrier to leaving, with police already seeing a spike in reports of family harm during level 4.
The country’s first refuge for animals whose owners are trying to escape family violence opened in Auckland earlier in August, and has already taken in 15 pets.
Pet Refuge has worked with police and family violence agencies to bring animals to the shelter under level 4 restrictions.
“We know that family violence escalates under lockdown, and with it pet abuse, as pressures rise and perpetrators lash out,” Pet Refuge founder Julie Chapman said.
**READ MORE:
* Pet Refuge aims to help victims of domestic violence escape
* My cats gave me the courage to leave my abusive partner
* Pets are not immune from surging family violence
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During the 2020 lockdown, domestic abuse victims stayed home out of fear of being punished for breaking their bubble, because safety messages did not get through.
With the latest move to level 4, Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and Sexual Violence Marama Davidson stressed anyone who felt unsafe in their bubble should leave.
Pet Refuge was built after research showed victims were staying in abusive situations because they had nowhere to take their pet.
Hazel* has two pets in the shelter. This is the first time she’s managed to leave her ex-partner long-term; when she tried to get out before, he had used her pets as weapons to guilt her into returning.
She spent the 2020 lockdown in a “pressure cooker” with her abusive ex-partner, “walking on eggshells the whole time”, she said.
Hazel was with her ex for seven years. Physical abuse punctuated the beginning of the relationship until she pressed charges, and he changed tack to emotional and financial abuse, she said.
He would drain her bank account to fund his drug and gambling addictions. During the 2020, lockdown, when she was pregnant, he forced her to drive him around town so he could get drugs, she said.
“Instead of using me as a punching bag he would throw things around the house, flip tables.”
Her dog was a rescue and would get terrified by his rages: “She would pretty much try and stick himself to me if there was yelling.”
Her ex would threaten to rehome her pets without telling her where they were, she said.
Before lockdown, she managed to get out, and get her dog and cat to safety. It was a “smooth transition”, she said, including the animals’ cross-country journey.
“I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders because I knew they were in a safe space and I knew that they would be cared for.”
Pet Refuge manager Nikki Marchant-Ludlow is working through level 4 as the refuge is an essential service.
Just before lockdown, she was there for the first reunion between pets who had stayed at the refuge and their owners who had moved to safety.
The emotional reunions “cemented why this service is so important”, Marchant-Ludlow said.
“We always knew it would be a much-needed service, but to see it actually in action is really quite powerful.”
The shelter is accepting pets from within Auckland under level 4.
Outside Auckland, people should contact police or family violence agencies to connect with local rescues and shelters, who may be able to offer short-term help until Pet Refuge can resume nationwide pickups.
To donate, visit www.petrefuge.org.nz or call 09 975 0850. Every dollar donated on Friday, August 27 will be doubled by a supporter, up to $10,000.
*Name changed to protect identity.
Where to get help for domestic violence
Women’s Refuge 0800 733 843 (females only)
Pet Refuge 0800 PET REFUGE / 0800 738 733 843 or email help@petrefuge.org.nz
Shine Free call 0508 744 633 between 9am and 11pm (for men and women)
1737, Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor.
Kidsline 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7.
What’s Up 0800 942 8787 (for 5 to 18-year-olds). Phone counselling available Monday-Friday, noon-11pm and weekends, 3pm-11pm. Online chat is available 3pm-10pm daily.
Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz, or find online chat and other support options here.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.
Need help? If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation click the Shielded icon at the bottom of this website to contact Women's Refuge in a safe and anonymous way without it being traced in your browser history. If you're in our app, visit the mobile website here to access Shielded.