He made me feel to blame and ashamed

NZPA

THE VICTIM: Kristin Dunne-Powell said Tony Veitch made her feel like she was to blame helpless, isolated, threatened and ashamed.

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The victim impact statement presented to the court by Kristin Dunne-Powell.

I am 35 years of age, married, and not currently working. In January 2006, when this happened, I was 32 and was employed by Vodafone NZ as general manager marketing. I had been in an on-off relationship with Tony between 2002 and 2006.

Physical injuries

My physical injuries included bruising and the fracture of my spine in two places. I experienced intense pain at the time of the assault and endured extreme discomfort for months afterward. It was necessary to use a wheelchair and crutches for several weeks so I could manage the discomfort and remain somewhat mobile.

The damage to my back has resulted in muscle atrophy and loss that has caused a physical disfigurement ... so apparent that, when I got married in 2007, it was necessary for the dressmaker to pad out my dress. The muscle loss also resulted in nerve damage which affected my central nervous system, balance and co-ordination.

I have undergone extensive physiotherapy and this is ongoing. Being unable to exercise, I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Financial Implications

 The injury caused me to stand down from my career to concentrate on rehabilitation because of the physical and psychological consequences of the assault.

I was highly motivated to regain my health and move on from the unhealthy relationship I shared with Tony. Rehabilitation included regular physio, acupuncture, personal training and counselling largely at my expense. Other than for physio and counselling, I made no claim to ACC. Tony reimbursed me for the substantial financial losses incurred at this time, set out in civil litigation documents dated December 23, 2007.

Emotional harm, effect on family

 The events of January 29, 2006, and thereafter were particularly traumatic for me. In March 2006 I was rehospitalised after a nervous system breakdown and diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. I can become particularly anxious when dealing with discussion about Tony and what he did. It has been necessary to undertake counselling to help me cope.

As recently as a few weeks ago I was diagnosed as still having PTSD symptoms. I have recurrent distressing recollections of what happened. I can get intensely distressed when exposed to situations or things that symbolise or resemble an aspect of what happened.

Tony made me feel to blame, helpless, isolated, threatened and ashamed. I felt at the time my life was at risk. I have worked incredibly hard to begin to heal emotionally and had made huge improvements until July 2008.

Since July 2008, my family and I have been harassed and hunted by journalists weekly, and my private and professional life has been turned upside down. I have experienced an enormous amount of stress due to relentless media and public interest and this has caused my family and I immense anguish.

At times it has felt like there has been no end to the spreading of malicious lies, rumours and falsehoods. These falsehoods have caused me reputational damage and have often times humiliated me. This situation makes it difficult to regain employment. The falsehoods have also left me at the judgment of some New Zealanders and the subject of repeated radio and internet discussion and gossip, which has been very distressing.

I have not slept adequately since January 29, 2006, and have become exhausted easily. The ongoing impact of my injuries and the stress of the past nine months has delayed the ability of my husband and I to start our own family and placed me in a high-risk age group for pregnancy. The injuries and stress have aged me prematurely and affected, it seems, every part of me and my life.