16 April 2009
Media Release

Tony Veitch Sentencing

Preventing Violence in the Home supports statement made by Judge Doogue that nothing excuses Tony Veitch’s behaviour - he is the author of his own misfortune.

Comments made by Mr. Veitch as he left Court today make it clear his focus is still on his own suffering rather than any true remorse about the suffering he has caused.

Jane Drumm, Executive Director of Preventing Violence in the Home, responds “Ms Dunne-Powell has done nothing wrong; Ms Dunne-Powell ended up in hospital requiring extensive rehabilitation, not Mr. Veitch.”

While today’s guilty plea is being looked on as an “early” plea; it has been a long time coming. Mr. Veitch could have made this plea at the start and spared his ex-partner months and months of public scrutiny and private anguish.

Jane Drumm adds, “Ms Dunne-Powell has been extremely brave during a sustained and nasty PR campaign that placed her in a terrible situation; whereby she has been unable to defend herself and her professional credibility against scurrilous accusation and innuendo.”

Client Services Director, Jill Proudfoot suggests “the response of some media and some members of the public to this case has illustrated clearly why women with high-profile partners hesitate to come forward and report abuse to the police. The intense scrutiny of the victim’s life, behaviour and personal qualities is absolutely irrelevant; the focus should remain absolutely on the behaviour of the offender and not on the victim.”

In conclusion, Ms. Drumm says “Mr. Veitch has taken a very long time to confront the fact he was abusive. To assist him to accept responsibility for his violent behaviour and its effect, a fundamental condition of his probation should be that he attends a Stopping Violence Programme.”

Background To Preventing Violence In The Home

Preventing Violence in the Home is New Zealand’s largest not for profit organisation addressing the endemic and often secret issue of domestic violence in the homes of New Zealand.
We offer awareness, education and professional support to our communities and encourage a safe and violence free attitude towards the lives of our children, families and friends.

Historic: Operating for nearly 20 years our organisation has grown dramatically in response to recent need. We have pioneered screening work with hospitals, with crisis services for children, joint case management of high risk families with the NZ Police, and we are integral to three major national (pilot) initiatives to help deliver safer communities.

Vision: We want to achieve a level of ‘’zero tolerance’’ to domestic violence and for this to be as natural to all New Zealanders as putting on a seatbelt or not smoking in public places, as these habits are for New Zealanders today.

We deliver a range of essential services, including:

• National 0508 DV HELP (0508 384 357) Domestic Violence Helpline
• 24 Hour professional crisis and advocacy support for adult and child victims of domestic violence
• Child Crisis Team for children who have witnessed traumatic family violence; this violence affects children who witness scenes many adults would find impossible to cope with
• Stopping Violence programme to help educate abusive and violent offenders
• Co-coordinating local interagency networks to ensure our services work together to keep people safe
• Safe @ Home - a programme to secure the homes of victims with replacement solid wood doors, window locks, security lighting and silent alarm systems
• Domestic Violence Training Programmes for volunteers, tertiary students, professionals, community groups and the Deaf community
• Workplace Trust & Support – a programme that addresses bullying and domestic violence in the workplace

We welcome enquiries for comment or further information about our services.

If you, a friend or family member, or a neighbour may be at risk of domestic violence or child abuse, call the toll-free Preventing Violence in the Home helpline on 0508 DVHELP (0508 384 357) for advice and support, or visit our website www.preventingviolence.org.nz and if a situation is immediately dangerous, call the Police on 111.

ENDS

© Scoop Media