Breaking Silence
Stories of hope and survival beyond domestic abuse
“If someone has said they are going to kill you, believe them, they will. It might not happen today, it might not even be this year … but it’s on its way.”
— Simonne Butler
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Everyone has the right to safety yet this is not the reality for 1 in 3 women in New Zealand. At some point in their life, they will experience physical or psychological abuse from an intimate partner.
For Simonne Butler, a violent attack by the man she lived with left her in hospital critically injured. Her journey to recovery is ongoing, as is her commitment to stop domestic abuse in Aotearoa.
Breaking Silence is a video series that shares Simonne’s story and follows her as she meets people around the country who are working with determination to raise awareness about the abuse cycle and how it can be changed. She discovers a range of responses from those making a difference: from practical support in setting up a new household to working with men on how to be emotionally open. We hear the personal stories from fathers and husbands who once thought their lives were untouched by domestic violence, who now actively campaign to spread knowledge about how family harm is often hidden from plain sight.
Breaking Silence captures many voices speaking a single truth - abuse thrives in secrecy, ending abusive behaviour requires self-knowledge and the courage to speak out.
In 2003 Simonne Butler survived an horrific attack at the hands of her abusive partner. In this episode Simonne shares her story and insights on how to identify and survive domestic abuse.
In 2009, David White's daughter Helen was shot dead by her multi-millionaire husband Greg Meads. White has since become a staunch campaigner fighting to end domestic abuse. He regularly holds meetings and speaks publicly about the issue.
Read more about David White.
Domestic abuse survivors training how to box may sound an unusual pairing. But Daniella Smith, a former world champion boxer herself, believes learning the sport can help women regain self-respect. She runs Diamonds in the Ring, a boxing gym for women. Many of the women including Shonie who we meet are former clients of women's refuges.
Can abusive men change their behaviour? Simonne meets Jeremy Eparaima, a reformed abuser to find out. Eparaima was a serial abuser until his mid 40s. Now he campaigns against domestic abuse.
Shakti Women’s Refuge is a service for migrant and refugee women. Simonne interviews Farida from Shakti to understand the specific difficulties that women from these communities may face - such as forced marriage, the impact of shaming and silence and extreme isolation.
Sarah was once a well-paid corporate professional. When she thought of domestic abuse she pictured scenes from the movie Once Were Warriors. But what she didn't realise is that she was slowly becoming subject to extreme financial and psychological abuse by her partner.
After Kerryn escaped an abusive marriage while living in Australia, she discovered first-hand how hard it is for women and their children to restart their lives. Simonne follows Kerryn's journey as she sets up an entire house for a family on behalf of her newly formed charity.
Domestic abuse affects many families in Pacific communities in New Zealand. But it is also shrouded in secrecy and people rarely speak about it. So when Simonne discovered a video called Say Something which dramatised domestic violence in a Pacific family, she went to meet the actors.
DO YOU NEED HELP?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger call 111.
Other places to seek help:
CREDITS
Elijah Pennington
Carol Hirschfeld
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