People who are part of the Rainbow community are more than twice as likely to experience partner violence than their straight counterparts.

On average, nine women are killed by their partner or ex-partner in New Zealand every year. 

Research shows that victims of childhood abuse are twice as likely to enter an abusive relationship as adults. For Lima, who once rejected her Samoan roots in an effort to move on from horrific abuse suffered as a child, her faith gave her the strength to forgive, and share her powerful story.

With many refuges being unable to accommodate animals, a surprising fifty three percent of abuse victims stay in violent relationships longer out of fear their animals will be harmed. Pets are a much loved part of the family but are all too often caught up in the cycle of violence.

Last year there were 53,000 women referred to refuges. For many there is no time to pack and they have just the clothes on their backs.

Domestic abuse affects many families in Pacific communities in New Zealand. But it is also shrouded in secrecy and people rarely speak about it.

After Kerryn escaped an abusive marriage while living in Australia she discovered first-hand how hard it is for women and their children to restart their lives.

Sarah used to be a high functioning, well paid professional. When she thought of domestic abuse she pictured scenes from the movie Once Were Warriors.

Simonne interviews Farida to understand the issues that women in migrant communities face; such as forced marriage, the impact of shaming and silence, the pressures to stay in unhealthy marriages, and the extreme isolation that many suffer.

Can abusive men change their behaviour? Simonne meets Jeremy Eparaima, a reformed abuser to find out. Jeremy was a serial abuser until his mid 40s.