Religion, culture, disability, immigration
Religion
No religion preaches domestic abuse, therefore religion is no excuse for domestic abuse. It is not God’s will for people to endure abuse from a husband or other family member. Men may use their religion or religious affiliation as an excuse for their violence.
Women may think that to leave or get a divorce from an abusive husband is against their religious beliefs. Some women feel pressure from their religious leader or religious community (e.g. church, temple, etc.) to interpret their religious beliefs in order to ‘honour’ their commitment to marriage, stay in the relationship, and endure the abuse.
Do you feel this way?
If you want to talk about it, you can always call our Free Helpline 0508 744 633. Shine staff may be able to refer you to get support from a person or organisation who shares your culture or religion and who therefore may have a better understanding of your situation.
Use of religious beliefs or religious scripture to justify abuse is unacceptable. For example, when interpreting the Bible, Koran or Torah, people may quote passages out of context, in effect altering the meaning of the passage for their personal use.
There are religious leaders in New Zealand from many faiths, including Christian, Muslim, and Hindu, who believe that it is not acceptable for a man to use violence against his wife, and that if a man will not stop his violence, the wife is justified in living apart from her husband in order to keep herself and her children safe.
Culture
It is important to maintain cultural traditions and beliefs, but this can be done without violence and abuse. Respecting a person’s culture is important, stopping the abuse is more important.
In New Zealand domestic abuse is against the law.
Some people believe that in their culture, women have a subordinate role, and the use of abuse is permitted to keep women in their place. Some accuse the New Zealand legal system of attempting to destroy their culture or argue that laws against domestic abuse are racist.
Within any culture of people living in New Zealand there are others who would argue that abuse is not acceptable within their culture. Just because the majority of people within a culture believe that abuse is normal and permitted within that culture, this does not mean that the culture prescribes abuse. Cultural norms, or widely held beliefs, in all cultures are fluid and change over time. For example, widely held beliefs about the rights of women, both Maori and Pakeha, have changed dramatically since Europeans began settling in New Zealand, and these beliefs continue to change.
Culturally-appropriate stopping abuse programmes (run by that cultural group for their own members) are generally the most effective. Culturally-based programmes encourage the men to take responsibility for their abuse and do not allow them to use their culture as an excuse for abusing their partners.
Immigration
Even if you are not a resident of New Zealand, there are immigration policies that help people who leave a relationship or marriage because of domestic abuse.
Special work permits can be granted if you have been married to, or are living with, a New Zealand resident, even though you may not hold residency yourself.
There are also ways you can apply for residency after gaining a special work permit. Evidence needs to be supplied to prove the existence of the relationship and proof of domestic abuse within it.
You can ring the Shine Helpline at 0508-744-633 to get information on these policies, and help you to find out if you fit the criteria.
Maori and Whanau Violence
In 2004, an updated version of the report from the former Second Maori Taskforce on Whanau Violence was published called Transforming Whanau Violence: A Conceptual Framework (2nd ed.). This report proposes a framework for addressing whanau/family violence based on Maori principles, and discusses how these concepts may be implemented in practice.
Colonisation, with its assumption of cultural superiority, is identified as contributing to the incidence of violence amongst Maori families. The authors argue that models of practice should be designed by Maori, for Maori, and not dictated by government policy and legislation, or based upon Pakeha conceptual frameworks. Recommendations include a collective approach to violence intervention strategies involving all members of the whanau, and a plan of action for implementing programmes based upon Maori values and principles.
> Download the full report Transforming Whanau Violence: A Conceptual Framework
Disability
People who are living with disability may experience abuse from partners, support workers, family, caregivers or flatmates. They may find it difficult to access support, as many people express disbelief that a person living with a disability could be abused.
You may experience the range of abuse outlined elsewhere in this book, but there may be additional features such as:
- refusal to help you with personal care or toileting needs
- putting your medication or mobility aids out of your reach
- telling you that no one else will want you because you are disabled
- telling others that ‘you have always been ‘difficult’ or ‘unreliable’
- forced sterilization
- withholding food.
Under current New Zealand law, abuse by employed caregivers is not classified as domestic abuse, but it is still illegal. Fortunately, there is a growing awareness amongst domestic abuse workers and the disability and domestic abuse sectors are beginning to work together to provide more appropriate services.
The booket Domestic Violence and Disabled People contains information about the risk of violence and what you can do to keep yourself safe. There are emergency numbers at the back if you need help urgently.
This booklet is also useful for support people, including staff working in the wider family violence and disability fields. This is essential information that can help you be open to hearing about and responding to abuse. If you are well informed about domestic violence, you can give those being treated badly a sense of hope. Your help will be vital.
> Download or order copies of the booklet 'Domestic Violence and Disabled People.'
Thanks to the Ministry of Social Development for funding this resource which was authored by Shine, DVD (Domestic Violence and Disability) Auckland, WAVES Trust, and the Mental Health Foundation.
For help and support, please ring the Free Helpline 0508 744 633. You can also contact the Helpline using the Relay Service http://www.nzrelay.co.nz/Home/.
> Go on to the next section: Safety Plans, Protection Orders and Police Safety Orders.