Story: Family violence

Bangladeshi-born Farida Sultana was once a victim of family violence, and realised that immigrant women in New Zealand needed their own support services. In 1995 she helped found the Shakti Women's Support Group, which challenged cultural acceptance of family violence in Asian communities. Three years later, after lobbying the government, the first Asian women's safe houses were set up throughout New Zealand. The Shakti Community Council continues to run safe houses and violence intervention programmes.