Help Turn Tears into Laughter

Fundraiser for Victims of Domestic Violence

The Auckland Women's Refuge needs heroes to support an agency that works with women and children trying to lead safer lives free from violence.

Women’s Refuge provides a safe haven for women and children to stay and receive support away from a dangerous home situation. They provide a crisis helpline, training programmes and advocacy service that connects victims to other essential networks such as law enforcement, social welfare, health care and housing providers. Their work also extends to supporting hundreds of women living in the community. Although funded by government, this does not meet the full needs of the refuges. Grants and donations account for only 17% of income, and more is needed. Fundraising events are therefore vital to assist in the delivery of critical services.

Auckland supporters are invited to champion the cause by sharing a night of comedy and fundraising on Sunday 4th October 2015. The Classic Comedy and Bar is the legendary venue hosting the gala “Help Turn Tears into Laughter” from 7:30-10:00pm.

Award-winning comedians will tickle funny bones, with stellar performers from the NZ International Comedy Festival, television and film generously donating their talents on the night. Cori Gonzalez-Macuer (What We Do in the Shadows) headlines the show and is joined by TM Bishop, James Nokise, Irene Pink and The Fan Brigade.

Bird on a Wire is providing the catering of canapés and other delights, which is included in the ticket price.

Tickets are $35 per person and available through the Eventfinda website at www.eventfinda.co.nz/2015/turn-tears-into-laughter-comedy-for-charity/auckland. All proceeds will be applied to the work of Auckland Women's Refuge.

Karis Vesey, Auckland Women's Refuge Support Worker and spokesperson says “Auckland Women's Refuge have been supporting women and children in their journey to a life free from fear and violence since September 1975. For 40 years we have been providing 24 hour crisis services, safe housing, advocacy, providing practically, collection and distribution of public donations to support families, things that are made possible only through the support of our community. Every week we are contacted by people who generously give and ultimately, we wouldn't be able to operate the way we do without them.

On this night, we invite everyone to not only join us in sharing a great evening but to help us raise funds to continue our vision to eliminate domestic violence, till one day, hopefully we are no longer needed."

Background on Women’s Refuge

Women’s Refuge is New Zealand’s most significant domestic violence organisation with a 40-year history of providing comprehensive services for adults and children.

The startling reality is that family violence pervades our nation. It impacts on our daily lives in ways we often cannot see. Last year, NZ Police launched more than 100,000 family violence investigations with 63,000 of these incidents linked to at least one child under the age of 16. In this period, 10 children and young people, 5 women and 2 men were killed in family violence homicides.

In 2013-2014, refuges provided 79,057 safe beds for women and children - this figure translates into an average of 216 women and children each night who did not feel safe enough to stay in their own beds. The typical length of stay in a safe house was 26 days for women and 29 days for children.

A high demand for safe houses entails a full occupancy of all 45 refuges affiliated to the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges – Auckland Women’s Refuge in Grey Lynn opened three houses in the last two years to tackle the rocketing violence.

Women’s Refuge receives nearly 80,000 calls to its Crisis/Support lines every year. This means that a crisis or information call is answered every seven minutes of every day.

In the 2013-2014 period, Women’s Refuge delivered support and advocacy services to 5,198 women in the community and 2,794 women in safe houses. Over 57% of women who access their services are under 36 years old whilst 86% of attending children are under the age of 10.

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Police direct more than 30,000 Family Violence Interagency Response referrals to Women’s Refuges each year. Funds to deliver these critical services cover only a mere fraction of the referrals. With 722 dedicated staff throughout the nation, nearly half are working to deliver these critical services unpaid or as volunteers – our everyday heroes!

Please join the Auckland Women’s Refuge’s comedy for charity mission by purchasing tickets today at www.eventfinda.co.nz/2015/turn-tears-into-laughter-comedy-for-charity/auckland.

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