On the beat: Look out for red flags

On the Beat with Constable Ryan Fleming

Domestic violence, family harm or in police radio code, 5F, makes up a very large part of our everyday business. For a new constable working through the modules required in the first two years of policing it is almost always the first module to be completed.

When I first joined the police, I had never really been exposed to domestic violence. I hadn’t really given it much thought. I was a typical person with the typical attitude of “why doesn’t she just leave him?”.

In the first few weeks at RNZPC I learned about the psychology behind domestic violence. I learned that leaving isn’t easy and a lot of manipulation, coercion and control goes into making it difficult for a partner to leave.

Over the next few weeks, I intend to expand some on the red flags and warning signs to watch out for. This might help a loved one, or yourself as you read this.

There is an excellent tool relating to domestic violence that I use often to highlight to someone who is in an abusive relationship – often they don’t even know. The Duluth Power and Control Wheel is a visual aide that spells out some of the red flags of abuse in a visual manner.

Power and control is broken into numerous categories:

• Using Coercion and Threats (Threatening suicide if you leave, using children as “weapons”, for example, by “reporting” you to Oranga Tamariki if you leave.

• Using Intimidation (looks, gestures, damaging property, abusing pets).

• Using Emotional Abuse (gaslighting, making you feel worthless).

• Using Isolation (Controlling who you see, isolating you from your support, such as friends and family)

• Minimising the Behaviour

• Using Children

• Using Male Privilege

• Using Economic Abuse

I will expand further one some of the points over successive weeks however if you notice some of the above red flags in yourself or a loved one, I urge you to seek help from the following resources.

Waitomo-Waipa Women’s Refuge 0800 733 843, Kainga Aroha 07 871 6506 – or come and see us.

More Recent News

Kiwi exports rise

The number of kiwi raised at Maungatautari in Waipā and sent to new homes has reached almost 350. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the re-introduction of kiwi on Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari – four…

Back with a bullet

The impact a two-month closure of the Desert Road would have for Te Awamutu was the best-read story online last month. It was a comfortable winner over Viv Posselt’s piece on the Waipā women’s hub…

Tribunal departure ‘not unexpected’

After 17 years’ service, Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson (ONZM) has been replaced on the Waitangi Tribunal. King Country born and raised, Simpson has extensive experience in governance roles, as highlighted in Waikato Business News last…

Brigade is thrice blessed

Dozens of people turned up at Pirongia Volunteer Fire Brigade last Saturday to witness the blessing of not one, but three, brigade vehicles. The event was arranged to bless the latest addition to the fleet…