Breaking Silence - Series Two

Episode One - Jude Simpson
Presenter Simonne Butler meets Jude, who works at the Royal New Zealand Police College. The training program Jude implements is designed to encourage understanding and empathy for those who will work on the frontline of family harm. Jude also shares her own story of survival.

Episode Two - Stalking
An estimated 15 percent of worldwide stalking cases result in homicide, yet stalking and cyberstalking aren't currently defined as an offence under New Zealand's Crimes Act. Tina (not her real name) was stalked by her ex-husband for more than three years. She shares her story in support of a change in the law.

Episode Three - Wiremu Witana
More than half a million New Zealanders are directly affected by family violence every year. For many, violence is handed down from generation to generation. Wiremu, with the love and support of his parents, broke this cycle of abuse.

Episode Four - Sandra Dickson
Those who are part of rainbow communities are more than twice as likely to experience intimate partner violence (IPV) than their straight counterparts. Sandra shares her own story, and explores the unique challenges faced by members of rainbow communities.

Episode Five - Coercive Control (Debbs Murray)
On average, nine women are killed by their partner or ex-partner in New Zealand every year. Almost a victim herself, Debbs shares her story to help illustrate coercive control, a pattern of behaviour designed to exploit, dominate, and imprison women within a relationship.

Episode Six - Lualima Hansen
Research shows that victims of childhood abuse are twice as likely as others to enter an abusive relationship when they're adults. Lima once rejected her Samoan roots in an effort to move on from the horrific abuse she suffered as a child. Her faith gave her the strength to forgive, and to share her powerful story.

Episode Seven - Pet Abuse
With many refuges unable to accommodate animals, a surprising 53 percent of abuse victims stay in violent relationships out of fear of their animals being harmed. Pets are a beloved part of families, but all too often get caught up in the cycle of violence.

Episode Eight - I Got Your Back Pack
Last year, 53,000 women were referred to refuges in New Zealand. For many, there was no time to pack; they just had the clothes on their backs. Tam was one of those who found herself fleeing from an abusive relationship, but upon arrival at a refuge, something changed her life.