Seasonal violence warning for families

Repeat family violence offenders in the central North Island are being warned by police to behave or suffer the consequences this Christmas.

In a first for the area including Manawatu, Levin, Dannevirke, Wanganui, Taranaki and Ruapehu, police are joining forces with the National Campaign for Action on Family Violence to send warning letters to known repeat offenders and will visit them before and after Christmas.

District Family Violence coordinator Maree Hill said that, for some people, Christmas and the new year was a period of fearful anticipation, which was marked by a sharp increase in family violence.

"It can be very stressful during the festive season finding enough money to cover bills and presents and managing expectations of the season. It puts additional strain on relationships.

"By sending letters to people it will leave them in no doubt that we know the propensity for violence and that, if they step out of line, they will face arrest."

Police in South Auckland and northern Taranaki took similar action last Christmas. Counties Manakau coordinator Tim Smith said police believed the campaign cut family violence in South Auckland.

Nationally, police respond to a family violence incident every 7 1/2 minutes. On average, 14 women, six men and 10 children are killed by a family member every year. About a third of murders are family-related.

- © Fairfax NZ News