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About #CatchYourself

Aim

Le Va aims to equip families with culturally-appropriate information, knowledge and skills to maintain respectful relationships with people in their household during stressful times.

We are doing this by providing a suite of practical resources and information on how people can manage their frustration or anger and promote positive relationships.

What does #CatchYourself mean?

During times of stress, many people will find themselves feeling irritable, frustrated, anxious or worried. These are all normal reactions.

We may even get angry with the people that we are living with. So how do we stop things from getting out of hand? How do we maintain respectful relationships in our homes?

That’s where #CatchYourself comes in. It is based on psychological interventions, which are known to work:

1. Notice how you feel. Know your triggers and warning signs. If you know what sets off your anger, you know when to #CatchYourself.
2. Take a step back and take a deep breath. When we slow down our breathing our mind and body automatically calms down.
3. Think before you act. What impact might you have on other people in your home? It’s not worth it, the situation will pass.
4. Show your values in how you act. Focus on maintaining respectful relationships and be kind to people in your household.

Why focus on preventing violence?

International evidence suggests that violence and sexual violence increase during times of crisis, such as a pandemic or extreme weather events. The high levels of conflict and stress related to job insecurity, financial worries, isolation from supports, scarcity of food, or unwell whānau members can increase strain on relationships within families or households.

Violence in the home does not impact all communities equally. Women, children and youth, Pasifika, Māori, LGBTQ+, and those who already experience economic hardship are at increased risk of experiencing violence.

Pasifika cultures are traditionally collective and communal, and family connectedness is a core cultural value. A Pasifika household is more likely to include many generations and extended family. However, this may mean an increased risk of transmission of infectious diseases – more than 40% of Pasifika people experience household crowding compared to 10% of other New Zealanders. This also may mean higher levels of stress, conflict within relationships, and potentially, violence.

We know we can prevent violence.

This campaign is proudly supported by ACC.

If you are concerned for your immediate safety, dial 111

Or

Need to talk free call or text 1737 

Covid-19 Update

Face-to-face workshops will not continue while New Zealand is at Level 4. We will be in contact with all participants soon.