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Source: ONE News -
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The Women's Refuge says the Rugby World Cup might be good for the country, but it won't necessarily be good for women.
CEO Heather Henare told TV ONE's Breakfast that her organisation believes violence could increase during the event.
"We know that research suggests there is an increase of domestic violence, both nationally and internationally so we are concerned about what will happen."
But Henare said the organisation faces a struggle helping women in the months ahead, after the Government pulled $700,000 worth of funding. It has already been stretched by an increase in domestic violence following the Christchurch earthquakes.
She said Women's Refuge has not been able to raise any money to help its campaign during the Rugby World Cup.
"We've got no idea what impact the Rugby World Cup will have and we've been unsuccessful at securing any funding around the cup at this point," she said.
She said the refuge had applied for funding both publicly and privately.
"It's all about safety as far as we're concerned, it's about making sure women understand they can ring for help.
"There'll be women from overseas here, so they need to know how to access women's refuge through our 0800 REFUGE number, and we want to be able to put our stickers in pubs and public toilets."
The Government supplies 60% of the funding for Women's Refuge with the other 40% coming from public donations.
Henare said this year's fund-raising campaign is more important than ever, and a number of high-profile businesses and organisations have offered to help.
Advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi will run a campaign that will use social media and special auctions on Trade Me to raise money and awareness.
"We've got people like Kevin Roberts from Saatchi and Saatchi in New York. He's donating two-hour mentoring and a three-day trip to New York all expenses paid," Henare said.
"We've got Trelise Cooper, Ruben Wiki, Weta, different people donating their time and resources."
The campaign is called 'an auction like no other' and will also feature special tribute auctions in memory of women who have been killed as a result of domestic violence.
The refuge says it costs $30,000 a day to run the organisation, and the numbers of people using the service has risen, with 30 more women a night using the service last year.
* Donations can be made to Women's Refuge through:
- Street Appeal. Collectors will be out in all main centres between Monday July 18 and Saturday July 24
- Trade Me Auction. Some amazing experiences are up for sale. That includes a coaching session with rugby league star Ruben Wiki, a trip to New York to meet with the global CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi and having Anika Moa sing at your wedding. View the auction at www.trademe.co.nz/refuge
- Text REFUGE to 2026.
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