6 minute read
Victim Support
Family violence affects everyone
Months of psychological abuse, threats, anger and, at times, physical violence had taken their toll on Simon.*
His only option, he thought, was to cut off all ties from his ex-wife, including with his three beloved young kids.
“I considered saying, ‘take the kids, leave me alone, I can’t do this anymore’,” he says.
“It became really, really tough. Every day arguing and being abused. I constantly lived in fear, my mental health was so severely affected I started thinking that, even though I love the kids, I have to step away completely. I can’t continue like this.” But then Simon got a call from a childcare worker to say his eldest child had admitted his mother and her new partner were hurting him.
Heartbreakingly, they had told the childcare worker that they didn’t want to live anymore. “I cried my eyes out,” says Simon. “I knew then something had to be done.”
That something involved multiple agencies stepping in – Police, Oranga Tamariki and, to Simon’s great relief, Victim Support.
“My Support Worker organised clothing for the children who. To eliminate further harm, were now coming to live with me and got food parcels delivered.“
“My ex was threatening my safety, some of our property was damaged and I thought she had someone following me. My support worker did a security assessment and advised us around spotlights and deadbolts. She helped so much.
“She had such a huge depth of experience of the systems and steps I was yet to go through. That has been so helpful as time has gone on,” says Simon.
“Family harm is so diverse and Victim Support has something unique to offer in this space,” says Kate Lacey, Family Harm Service co-ordinator with Victim Support in Christchurch.
“We have the ability to work with many types of victims, any ethnicity and culture, whether they be male or female, in sibling relationships, grandparent relationships or LGBTQIA+ relationships.
“We’re always looking at what does this specific victim need?
“The strategy that works in one case doesn’t always work in another; every case needs its own response.
“The more thought and planning we put in with each victim, the more successful the outcome will be.”
As for Simon, with Victim Support by his side, he made it through the court process and now has sole custody of his children who are all well settled and thriving.
“Nobody should be embarrassed if they find themselves in a bad situation like mine. “If you have any inkling that something is wrong, write down the facts and your feelings, and talk to somebody who is removed from the situation.
“I have nothing but praise for Victim Support, they’ve helped me and my kids get to where we are today.”
*Name has been changed to protect identity.
One of the few providers with true 24/7 availability, Victim Support’s Family Harm teams offer specialist capability to assist with:
• Risk assessment and safety planning • Crisis response • Advocacy and emotional support for victims, whanau, and families • Support through court proceedings • Information and advice • Referrals to other agencies (including Womens’ Refuges, legal support or counsellors) • Emergency travel and accommodation • Safety and wellbeing checks.
Victim Support
0800 842 846 www.victimsupport.org.nz
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AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SPECIALISTS
100% New Zealand Owned and Operated
• Design and Installation • IQP Inspections • Preventative and proactive maintenance services • Energy saving assessments and implementations
• Project Management services • Peer reviews • Fault finding and repairs • Electrical services
Phone: 03 365 8943 | Mobile: 0274381440 Email: eddie@qbsl.co 3/308 Wilsons Road, Opawa, Christchurch www.qbsl.co.nz
Quality Building Services Limited is a New Zealand-owned and operated company that provides commercial and industrial air conditioning, mechanical, and ventilation solutions. QBS was established in January 2011 in Christchurch. Services include design and installation, IQP inspections, preventative and proactive maintenance services, energy-saving assessments and implementations, project management services, peer reviews, fault finding, repairs, and electrical services.
With the current climate change and environmental changes, air conditioning and ventilation systems are essential. Despite the team being small, they carry out the maintenance, repairs, design, and installation of most systems. The team is very hardworking and believes in providing high-quality services, installing correctly the first time, and always putting the customers first. The team delivers exceptional services ensuring customers get the best possible outcome. In this fast- paced world people live in today, QBS believes the quality of goods and workmanship has been lost in many cases because of outdated standards, but with QBS the quality is of a very high standard. QBS wants to make sure customers are satisfied as they take the time to listen to the customer's conditions, requirements, and expectations. The team wants to provide the highest levels of quality services for their customers at all times. The team also makes sure installments are as environmentally friendly and affordable as possible because the company wants to do its part in making a positive change in the world. Their approach to delivering outstanding solutions involves “open book” contracts and strong environmental policies and procedures to ensure there are ongoing improvements in the workplace. QBS also install brands that are designed for New Zealand’s conditions and are locally sourced. The fully- qualified team has a lot of HVAC experience throughout New Zealand (mostly in Canterbury), which ranges from private/domestic installations and services to manufacturing various large sites and businesses. For instance, hospitals, shopping areas, and industrial businesses. Skills also range from design, build, and installation to infrastructure maintenance refreshes and ongoing service. No matter how big or small the job is, QBS have the skills, knowledge, and experience to help advise their customers on what needs to be done. The company only employs fully qualified staff within the industry and runs an active training and development programme. The staff is always committed to working within a safe environment. Sound systems and procedures are used to ensure the utmost safety is updated and examined regularly. QBS is a member of Site Safe and the whole team is Safe Site registered. For more information on the QBS company, to have a look at photos of their previous jobs, their approach methodology, industry experience combined with qualified staff, safety commitment, and contact details, have a look at the QBS website through this link: https://www.qbsl.co.nz/ To get in touch please phone Eddie Garden either at (03) 365 8943, 027 438 1440, fax on (03) 365 8946, or email at eddie@qbsl.co. Opening hours start from Monday to Thursday from 8am to 4pm and Friday from 8am to 3pm. Head to 3/308 Wilsons Road, Opawa in Christchurch.
