Get out and get help is the message from Hamilton Police following a serious domestic assault in the City overnight. Sergeant Alan McGlade of the Hamilton Family Safety Team said officers were called to an address in the west of the City about 10.30pm after a woman escaped her attacker and raised the alarm. "It appears she has been strangled and suffocated, officers arrived to find her highly agitated partner in the garage and he was subdued with the assistance of pepper spray.
"The woman was treated at the scene for swelling around the neck and is currently being assisted by Women's Refuge. This incident is quite serious and comes just days after a separate domestic assault where a gang member attacked his estranged partner, the key message in these cases is to get out and get help." Police are still seeking the offender for the earlier incident, Colin KIRIONA, who they warn is dangerous and should not be approached. Mr McGlade said Police treated domestic violence extremely seriously and worked closely with partner agencies to reduce the risk of such incidents. "The longer such behaviour is allowed to continue, the worse it gets, one woman is killed by her partner or ex-partner every five weeks and about 10 children die every year in domestic violence."
"Though the cornerstone of the Domestic Violence Act is the Protection Order earlier this month another valuable tool was introduced, the Police Safety Order but victims have to make the first step and seek help." Mr McGlade recommends that where any person is being subject to, or living in fear of domestic violence, they should contact Police.
Alternatively they can also call Women’s Refuge: (07) 8551569 or 0800 REFUGE (733 843) or the Are You OK Information Line: 0800 456 450. More information can be found at websites such as www.areyouok.org.nz/, http://www.familyservices.govt.nz/directory/ , www.justice.govt.nz/courts/family-court/publications/pamphlets/domestic-...
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