新西兰英语 775 Name change for Christchurch Women’s Refuge

 　　Forty years ago, two Christchurch women started a safe house for women who were in violent relationships. They were surprised at the large numbers of women who needed help to escape from a violent partner. Usually the women who came for help had children.

　　Soon there were other volunteers working with the Women’s Refuge¹. They helped women with many problems – finding a new place to live, getting financial help and getting help with legal matters.

　　The service has grown over the years and other cities in New Zealand now have safe houses. However, now the Christchurch Women’s Refuge has changed its name to Aviva Family Violence Services. Now the organisation² works with men as well as women to stop violence. Aviva believes that everyone, with the right support, can overcome family violence. The 24-hour phone number is 0800 AVIVA NOW.

　　Aviva has a street appeal next Friday and Saturday to raise money for the work it does. This date is close to the International Day of the Family (May 16th in New Zealand).

　　Note that Shakti is an organisation to support migrant women. Shakti has four safe houses in New Zealand for migrant women who need to escape from domestic³ violence. The 24-hour phone number is 0800 SHAKTI.

　　Vocabulary

　　?violent relationship – domestic abuse

　　?refuge – a safe place

　　?overcome – stop the violence

　　?street appeal – standing on the street with donation boxes

1 refuge   

n.避难（处），庇护（所）；v.庇护，避难（所）

参考例句：

• They took refuge in a cave yesterday.他们昨天是在一个洞里避难的。
• We took refuge in the lee of the wall.我们在墙的背风处暂避。

2 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

3 domestic   

adj.家里的，国内的，本国的；n.家仆，佣人

参考例句：

• This is domestic news.这是国内新闻。
• She does the domestic affairs every day.她每天都忙家务。