Kelly's story is long so we have provided a number of ways for you to read it:
- TO DOWNLOAD AS A MICROSOFT WORD FILE (79kb) >>Click here
- TO DOWNLOAD AS A PDF (69kb) >>Click here
This is Kelly's story. She came to one of our Refuges about two years ago after escaping from a violent, seven-year relationship. The story is quite long, but it's not often that a woman in this situation has been prepared to sit down and fully document an experience that most find far too painful to recall.
This level of unflinching detail gives those of us who live happy, normal lives a new level of understanding. Bear in mind as you read that this is not a particularly extreme case and that it happened in an ordinary New Zealand community.
Kelly had a supportive family, but when she finally found the courage to leave she needed Refuge to give her safety and anonymity and help her build a new life. To be there we rely on the tireless efforts of our volunteers and financial supporters.