While it is such a shame that domestic violence still exists, it is great o know that you can speak up not and get help.
Patrick Stewarts first hand account of Domestic Violence
I did not know...
When he hit me the first time I did not think he was aware of what he was doing... when the police woman answered in all honesty that these things happen repeatedly I did not want to believe her... but I did...
I wanted to run away but they told me I could not do so.
Now on the other end, I realize how wrong they were for not referring me onto SHAKTI in the first place. They should have done so but they did not.
Preventing Violence in the Home now known as SHINE did help but I never met anyone and they did not really know what I was going through... every time I rang I kept speaking to many other women... having to explain everything again and again was probably the best therapy I got from them. SHAKTI really know what they are doing and being migrant women they can relate to migrant women themselves. It is so important that migrant women are referred to the right kind of help in the beginning. I will not stop advocating for this until it is main stream policy from now on.
Shakti Meeting
I had the best meeting today where for the first time I was informed of my rights in black and white.... IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR RIGHTS... There will not be a situation from now on when I will be swindled of my rights ever again.
Aroon and Jen came to see me today after I called out for help last Wednesday worried to bits that my visa would expire. It is so amazing to meet such wonderful switched on people.
I know know that there is no obligation to go to mediation... and no obligation to negotiate with domestic violence offenders anytime.
Domestic Violence in New Zealand
It is a wonder that Domestic Violence in New Zealand shows no signs of slowing down.
There is not much being done in way of making examples of real offenders.
My ex-partner strangled me until I lost consciousness... a few seconds more and I could have been dead. When the police officer told me it is common and could happen again I knew I had to leave...
I have no regrets yet for leaving. Even though it has been hard... when I look back I know I have done the right thing.
He wants him back....
On the 21st we will be having a counsel led mediation hearing... regarding the parenting order that has been in place since the domestic violence charges were laid in May 2008.
It is such a tangled web I am in... puts me in a position where I have to double check every single decision because the safety of my six year old is so very important. Then with the very same token, on the 21st of January we are going to Criminal Court to give testimony because of a breach of the protection order back in 2008.
What a roller coaster ride of legal limbo to be caught in.... and the whole time I am waiting for immigration to decide on the verdict of whether I can stay or whether I have to leave the country.
With an order from family court to not remove my son out of the country, it will be difficult to be the sole custodian of his care if I am asked to leave... what a complicated situation domestic violence can put you in...
I wish I could hear from other women caught up with the same situation... what do you do?
Immigrant woman - Domestic Violence
Tomorrow I will be an illegal immigrant.
I wanted to share my last few minutes as an legal migrant and make a transition to being illegal with you... my future readers...
I am not sure exactly how things are going to turn out or exactly how I will be living when it all comes down to my last few moments here in New Zealand. So I will document it all here...
I will get into the details shortly about who I am and how I got here... but for now this is a start.