INDEPENDENT NEWS

Murder Details Called For- Women's Refuge

Published: Mon 28 Feb 2000 05:52 PM
MEDIACOM-RELEASE-WOMEN'S REFUGE
Women's Refuge Calls For Police To Immediately Release Details Of Auckland Murder
Women's Refuge has called on the Police to immediately release all details surrounding the murder of a New Lynn woman at the weekend despite a court protection order against her estranged husband.
Chief executive Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says by failing to take immediate action when called upon at weekend the Police sent a woman who had sought their help, home to her death.
"This is not the time for the Police to trot out their usual refrain ` its under investigation-we can't comment'.
"At this moment in New Zealand there are thousands of women who are wondering just how much protection does a protection order provide. These woman will be feeling very vulnerable and the Police must now do something to show that they care."
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says Women's refuge knows all too well that domestic violence is not given priority in some police areas, and the latest incident must be taken as a wake up call by the Police.
"This tragedy would not have happened if the Police had taken the woman seriously.
"A protection order had been taken out against the husband and that alone should have alerted the Police. They should have checked the conditions under which the protection order was issued, if it was still current, had it been breached before, the normal checking procedures and precautions that should take place in any situation when a woman reports or seeks assistance."
She says the Police's own manuals set down clearly what they need to do, but under no circumstances should a woman be allowed to return home alone.
"Every domestic violence incident has the potential to turn into a tragedy and until the Police understand that each one needs to be seen in this light, woman and children will continue to be killed in New Zealand."
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says that a Police report released last year highlighted the fact the Police acted in a racist manner when handling certain cases.
She says it is hoped this was not a factor in the murder of Mrs. Jian Huang.
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says only by making the full facts available immediately will questions in the public's mind be answered.
ENDS...

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