A domestic violence incident that left a man requiring 300 stitches to his leg has left Hamilton Police asking people who feel under pressure at home to seek help before something more tragic happens.
Ambulance staff alerted Police to an incident in Dinsdale about 11.05am yesterday.
Arriving at the Thomson Ave address officers found a woman had cut her partner's leg with a craft knife which necessitated him being taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance.
Treated for his injuries the 48-year-old man required 300 stitches to his right leg to close the wound that ran from his right thigh to down below his knee.
Due to appear in the Hamilton District Court today, the 23-year-old woman has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Hard Truths on Domestic Violence
• The longer it goes on, the more violent it gets
• About 10 children are killed every year in domestic violence
• One woman is killed by her partner or ex-partner every five weeks
• Women's Refuge assisted about 20,000 women and children last year
• Psychological abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse
• Children who hear or see domestic violence can suffer psychological harm
You are not alone.
At the heart of the Domestic Violence Act 1995 is the Protection Order. It names the person who is abusive (the respondent) and states what behaviour is illegal under the Order. "The police and courts might not take me seriously." Domestic violence is an abuse of human rights. The courts and the Police take domestic violence very seriously.The Domestic Violence Act helps protect people in many different relationships. These include:
• married couples
• unmarried couples
• gay and lesbian couples
• children
• family/whanau
• anyone in a close personal relationship
• flatmates or other people who share accommodation
What does the law mean by "domestic violence'?
Domestic violence is not only a fist in the face or a kick in the head. The law says that violence can be physical, sexual or psychological. Physical abuse. Nobody - including a husband, wife, partner, or an adult who looks after children - has the right to hit, punch, kick or in any way assault another person. Sexual abuse. Nobody is allowed to have any sexual contact with another person without permission. Psychological abuse. This includes intimidation, threats and mind games.
Below are just a few things that the Family Court recognises as psychological abuse:
• damaging property as a way of hurting someone
• making threats, such as "If you leave, I'll kill you", "Do that again and I'll give you a hiding", "Tell the Police and I'll beat up the kids"
• allowing a child to see or hear any domestic violence
• trying to control someone's life by constantly humiliating them
• controlling someone's money, time, car or contact with friends as a way of having power over them
Find people who will help
If you are in immediate danger: call the Police. They will respond immediately. If the danger is not immediate, there are other organisations which can help you arrange a Protection Order.
If you decide you want to make the violence stop, there are a lot of people and tough laws that will help you. These people include the Family Court, the Police, the Children and Young Persons' Service, Women's Refuge, Stopping Violence Services, your lawyer, Victim Support, and many other government and community organisations.
Domestic violence is not only a women's issue. it is a men's issue. It's a children's issue. The Court takes applications for Protection Orders very seriously. The vast majority are granted immediately."
Principal Family Court Judge Patrick Mahony
Community organisations: A list of other organisations which can help can be found at the front of the phone book (white pages) under Emergency Services or Personal Help Services.
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