THEadvocate Support Aviva Under Lockdown
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0800 AVIVA NOW
Autumn 2020
COVID-19 EDITION
THE
advocate
Support Aviva Under Lockdown
Over the past four weeks of lockdown, Aviva has seen a 34% increase in family violence referrals
to our support line.
Averaged out across New Zealand,
that’s an additional 2800 affected
families last month. And we know
reporting does not recognise the
full scope. In this newsletter, you
will read more about what our
clients are facing and what Aviva is
doing to help.
What about incidents of sexual
violence?
While we have seen an increase
in family violence, we initially
saw no increase in calls to our
Sexual Assault Support Service
Canterbury (SASSC) 24/7 hotline. Our priority is to keep people safe while services struggle to meet
For those experiencing sexual – from family and sexual violence rising demand. These pose barriers
violence in their homes, especially as well as COVID-19. to actively and swiftly supporting
for children, there has likely been people. The pressure within some
Our 24/7 support line remains our
an increase in violence that the homes will continue to rise and
first point of contact for most,
reports do not accurately reflect. risks will rise for people.
with enquiries via our website.
It was noted within our service Although all our services are How can I help?
after the earthquakes and Mosque still fully functional, face to face
Aviva is expecting a loss in
shootings that throughout services are extremely limited,
donations of up to 30% this year,
the immediate time following, and are being undertaken very
due to the cancellation of major
reporting seemed to decline for differently. We are offering clients
fundraising events over the
a period. However, as people some creative ways to continue to
coming months. We are holding
began to return to ‘normal life,’ the feel supported, using a variety of
an Emergency Appeal to fill that
reports began to rise significantly. audio/visual platforms to engage in
gap. Thanks to the kind generosity
A month into lockdown, we are face to safe sessions for individual
of our supporters, we are already
beginning to see a slight increase or group programmes.
halfway to our $70,000 goal,
in cases that could reflect a similar Unfortunately, many of our clients but we still have a long way to
situation. deal with additional interrelated go. Please help by making a
How is Aviva responding? issues such as mental health, contribution at https://emergency.
addiction, or poverty. With no avivafamilies.org.nz.
We have moved our team to
open doors to easily walk in,
working remotely, but we remain
lockdown has limited their access If you or someone you know needs
available to any and all 24/7 with
to support. Many clients struggle support, please call 0800 AVIVA
practical assistance and support.
with phone or internet access NOW (0800 28482 669).
the advocate AUTUMN 2020 1
Finding a Guide Through Uncertainty
COVID-19 has left many of us feeling unsure, like we don’t know what to do or what is happening.
But can you imagine trying to navigate that uncertainty while also trying to protect your family
from violence?
Cayden Hays*, his wife, and
their three children had been
staying with extended family
and living with violence long
before COVID-19 reached New
Zealand. “We were stressed,
under pressure. It was an intense
situation.” They had already
debated reaching out to Aviva
on multiple occasions when
the lockdown went into effect.
“There were five of us living in one
bedroom. Having the lockdown
meant we had to be at home 24/7.
It sort of heightened everything.”
A single violent incident with the
extended family late one evening
finally pushed the Hays to call the
police and reach out to Aviva for
support. “By 10 o’clock the next
morning we were already in touch
with our support worker and she
was sorting things out with us. She
The Aviva team contacted some someone to share the load with,
was quick to jump in and help us. It
other supportive agencies and it allowed us to start the recovery
was good knowing she was there.”
‘friends of Aviva.’ Within a few and healing process.”
It wasn’t a typical situation, days, they enabled the family to
That time to recover and heal
the entire family needed to be move into a new home, furnished
has been invaluable for the Hays.
removed from their home - both for them. The SPCA dropped by
“It’s like a weight lifted off our
parents, their three children, and reunited them with their pets.
shoulders. Not just for us as
and their pets. A refuge wouldn’t
“The best thing was knowing parents, it was a big weight, but
be able to take them all. “It was
that we had somebody there for our kids as well. They’re finally
a super weird situation. We
to help point us in the right able to relax. It was a whirlwind
didn’t know what to do,” Cayden
direction. When everything started where we were staying. It isn’t until
explained.
happening, there were loose ends you get out that you realise how
But Aviva did. Within a few everywhere that we didn’t know heavy it was.”
hours their support worker, what to do with, so having Sofia
Sofia has continued to check-in
Sofia, had organised emergency there to walk us through each step
with the Hays every few days. “The
accommodation for the whole was amazing,” Cayden explained.
follow-up has been amazing. Just
family and coordinated with SPCA “Just knowing that she was leading
before Easter she got in touch and
to take the pets. “It was good the way made all the difference.
organised a food parcel for us.
to know the next few days were To take off that weight of ‘What’s
That was really amazing.”
sorted, and we could just relax,” going to happen?’ Not just
said Cayden. keeping things on track but having Even under lockdown, Aviva staff
are working tirelessly to support
people like the Hays to stay safe.
“All under lockdown, they made
it all happen. We absolutely felt
supported,” Cayden said. To help
keep your community safe from
COVID-19 and violence, please
consider making a donation to
Aviva at https://emergency.
avivafamilies.org.nz.
*Not his real name.
2 the advocate AUTUMN 2020
Continuing Support Under COVID-19
Over the past few weeks, our family support worker, Sofia, has been just one example of the
tirelessly working Aviva staff who are trying to keep families safe in lockdown.
Born in India, she came to New “The purpose is to be available
Zealand to study psychology in each and every way possible
before eventually joining Aviva and support people in keeping
as a coordinator for the group themselves safe. We need to be
educational programmes. “I thinking out of the box and keep
organize and plan groups at engaging in this trial and error
Aviva. Being a coordinator and process.”
sometimes facilitator of the
One of the things making
groups, I am able to see the
the transition easier are the
transformation the participants
understanding clients. “Our
have from when they first attended
clients have been very supportive
the group sessions to when they
of this new change. Whenever
finally complete the programme.
I’m having a discussion or telling
And Aviva is a part of that journey
them, moving forward what
walking alongside with them.” She
the plan would look like. They
also regularly covers the support
have been very supportive and
line and works individually with
understanding. They have said – Sofia pictured above.
clients as needed.
We are all in this together.”
The lockdown has not been easy
The current situation may be
for many of the people she works want to lead a safe life. It’s just that
difficult and leaving many stressed
with. “With families impacted by they need that support, and we are
or uncertain, but Sofia knows that
family violence there’s always the here with that support. We will be
having Aviva there to support
stress of uncertainty. It just gets supporting them every day and, in
people 24/7 can help. “I want
heightened in these situations as every way, possible.”
people to know that what we do is
they don’t know what services
important and very needed, be it To support Sofia and all of Aviva’s
are available out there. They don’t
in lockdown or not in lockdown,” dedicated staff in their efforts
know who to go to, so that their
she says. “The families that we to support children and families
needs are met.”
work with, they are the families during these difficult times, please
She recalls some of the stories that need our support. They want consider making a contribution to
she has heard on the support line to overcome violence, they want https://emergency.avivafamilies.
over the past few weeks. A mother to work on their relationships, they org.nz.
from another part of the country
whose daughter was assaulted
in the Canterbury region, feeling
unable to do anything and needing
someone who could give her
advice and support her daughter.
A man sitting in his car, boiling
over with anger and scared to go
inside for fear that he might hurt
his partner, begging for someone
to help him stop. “People don’t
know how and what they can
do. That’s where we come in – to
support them and guide them with
possible alternatives and options.”
The lockdown restrictions haven’t
stopped Sofia from finding a way
to help, engaging people by phone
or video calls where available, and
linking them with the appropriate
services. Even if she cannot be
there in person, if a client needs to
make a difficult call to the police,
she will stay on the line with them
during that call just to be there.
the advocate AUTUMN 2020 3
Welcome Matt and Sarah to the Aviva Family
Introducing the newest Aviva Ambassadors, Matt Brown and Sarah Clare Brown of My Fathers
Barber and She is Not Your Rehab (SINYR).
A New Zealand born Samoan, violence free communities” and
Matt is an internationally has worked alongside Matt since
acclaimed barber and hair artist, his brand began.
communicator, husband, and
In collaboration with Aviva and
father of three children known for
Mapu Maia, Matt and Sarah
“giving great cuts” and “inspiring
began hosting a monthly men’s
great men.” He is a survivor of
anti-violence and mental health
family violence and childhood
support group out of My Father’s
sexual abuse and shares his
Barber for which we have offered
story with the men who frequent
clinical training and perspective Matt (right) and Sarah (left) Brown
his busy Christchurch and
as well as access to further pictured above.
Palmerston North barbershops,
individualised support. “Thank you, just thank you. Tonight,
My Fathers Barbers, as a way to
foster vulnerability, healing, and Aviva is excited to continue I experienced life, hurt, vulnerability,
connection. A New Zealand Māori working with Matt and Sarah to pain and how anger has ruined my
(Ngāpuhi) wāhine, his wife Sarah help people overcome violence, heart, soul and destroyed my being.
is a celebrant, writer and the regardless of where they are in This is our journey of discovery in
communications manager of My that journey. You can find out more terms of healing my demons.”
Fathers Barbers and She Is Not about the SINYR men’s group at – anonymous men’s group attendee
Your Rehab. She is passionate facebook.com/sheisnotyourrehab.
about their mandate of “creating
Thank you to our Supporters
We are incredibly grateful as always to see the kindness and generosity of our supporters. Thank you to
everyone who helped make our Christmas Appeal so successful and who have continued to support Aviva
through the recent pandemic. Allow us to take a moment to appreciate the funders, groups, and companies
that allow us to continue providing our services to the community.
Funders Canterbury Women’s Legal Chateau on the Park
Vodafone Foundation Association Zonta Club of Christchurch South
Mainland Foundation R.W. Bell Limited Rangiora Lions Club
Blogg Charitable Trust Craigs Investment Partners
Christmas Gift Donors
Rata Foundation Selwyn Christian Fellowship
Arise Church
NZ Charitable Foundation St Christophers Women’s
Fellowship Christmas Boxes
Todd Foundation Scenic Hotel Group
U3A Ellesmere Incorporated
Other Supporters Chargeurs Wool Research First
Dove Charitable Trust Terra Viva Home & Garden Pegasus Book Club
Drummond Inheritance Fund Orion New Zealand Limited Countdown
Jones Foundation The Innovative Travel Company Ltd Department of Corrections
Cowdy Real Estate HeartKids NZ Celebration Centre
Compass FM Dress Mart Hornby Rotary Club of Garden City
The Christchurch Foundation Lions Club of Akaroa Bays Rangiora Bridge Club
DONATE TO AVIVIA
Russley Golf Club Bolt of Cloth BATA
Visit Group
donate.avivafamilies.org.nz
UC Admin Plus Forte Health Ltd Stratford Garden Club
Sensi Merivale LTD RECEIVE THE
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Centre
Connect Chiropractic Please help us reduce costs by choosing
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Kmart It’s in the Bag NZ
Avonside Girls High School Contact community@avivafamilies.org.nz
Christchurch Chinese Church Torch
or callof(03)
Nations Ministries
378 3847.
Contact Us Like us on Facebook @AvivaFamilies
PO Box 24 161, Christchurch 8141 Check us out and ‘Like’ us to keep up to date
0800 AVIVA NOW (0800 28482 669) or 03 378 3847 on what each service area is doing and to
www.aviva.org.nz
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