THEadvocate Support Aviva Under Lockdown

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THEadvocate Support Aviva Under Lockdown
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
THEadvocate Support Aviva Under Lockdown
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
THEadvocate Support Aviva Under Lockdown
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
THEadvocate Support Aviva Under Lockdown
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
                                                                                    Seedlings         ADVOCATE
                                                                                                  Early  LearningBY  EMAIL
                                                                                                                   Centre
                                         Connect Chiropractic                         Please help us reduce costs by choosing
  The Warehouse – Eastgate                                                          Halswell
                                         Christchurch Aunties                         to receive The Advocate by email.
  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.

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                          0800 AVIVA NOW (0800 28482 669) or 03 378 3847            on what each service area is doing and to
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