Charity Fight - Mahi for Otepoti Whanau Refuge

Over the next 10 weeks I am raising funds for Otepoti Whanau Refuge (previously Women’s Refuge).

Ōtepoti Dunedin Whānau Refuge provides essential services to support women and children experiencing family violence. They offer safe and confidential crisis response support, trauma-informed and whānau led advocacy, and therapeutic services providing specialised support. They provides a crucial role in ensuring safety, empowerment, and long-term well-being for those affected by family violence.

I myself had struggled with this for years in a very unsettling marriage. In 2021 my husband at the time tried to run me over. At an attempt gone wrong trying to bring him home for his son’s birthday. Instead I was left scared hiding in a bush crying until help came. This was a last ‘strike’ moment where I knew enough was enough, ending my marriage and finally getting myself the right support. For me it was about a lack of education, “my husband wasn’t abusive he was just a drunk, he was lovely sober”. It’s a culturally accepted term I’ve often heard which is constantly forgiven. So here I am sharing a tiny fraction of my story, doing my bit to raise awareness and hopefully inspiring other women to move forward.

Your donation is crucial for the ability for this service to provide assistance to individuals and whānau experiencing whānau family violence. Together, we can make a significant difference in our community. Join me in making a positive impact today through your contribution.