Monday October 29 2007

Women Outraged By Police Behaviour

The National Council of Women of New Zealand of Women (NCWNZ) is distressed and angered to learn of a police raid on a Women’s Refuge safe house on Friday and will be seeking a meeting with the Police Commissioner as soon as possible about the situation.

“The Police regularly work alongside the Women’s Refuge. Of all people, they should be well aware of the Refuge’s stance on drugs and alcohol,” said Christine Low, NCWNZ National President. “By raiding this safe house, the secrecy of its location will now be public, which negates the Refuge’s ability to offer women who are victims of domestic violence the protection they need.”

Women would be deeply concerned to learn if this raid came about as a result of a tip-off from an aggrieved ex-partner.

“Many women were already concerned about police behaviour after the Bazley Report, then the Cutting Edge Report, on the handling of protection orders and the grossly inappropriate behaviour of some high profile police officers. To now have a raid on a Women’s Refuge safe house only exacerbates the perception that the police have issues within their own organisation that need addressing,” said Christine Low.

“Raiding Refuges as though they are P-houses will not be tolerated. To women, these safe-havens are tapu,” concluded Christine Low.

ENDS

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