Refuges For Women ‘taken Over By Extremists’ (Press, 25 September 1985)

On 25 September 1985, the Christchurch Battered Women’s Support Group, led by co-ordinator Mrs Doris Church, announced its resignation from the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges. This decision stemmed from concerns about the influence of what they described as extremist elements within the feminist movement, specifically referring to radical and lesbian separatists who have reportedly taken control of many refuges. Mrs Church articulated that the influx of government funding into the refuge movement has inadvertently fostered a hostile environment, which she claims has turned these refuges into employment platforms for individuals with extreme beliefs. Mrs Church expressed frustration over being instructed that men were no longer allowed to participate in their group's activities, highlighting further alienation from what she perceives as a radical faction within the collective. She called for a return to a more moderate brand of feminism that can appeal to a broader audience. The support group is seeking to reclaim the "middle ground" of feminism and make the term more acceptable again. In a newly released booklet titled “The Future of Refuge in New Zealand," both Dr John Church and Mrs Church outlined their reasons for resigning and proposed recommendations for improving the refuge system. They identified notable characteristics of the separatist women as being overly rigid in their political views and exhibiting a pronounced anti-men sentiment while excluding men from the refuge operations. The booklet criticises the aggressive tactics employed by these separatists during meetings, contending that their behaviour mirrors that of extreme groups regardless of gender. Mrs Church questioned how funds were allocated by the collective, suggesting that the distribution was unfair. She reported that attempts to address these concerns at meetings were met with hostility and dismissive behaviour by other members. The support group aims to steer clear of extremist views on either end, rejecting the notion that all men are inherently violent. Furthermore, Mrs Church clarified that their stance does not support any right-wing or male chauvinist agendas, emphasising that they remain a feminist organisation without separatist inclinations. A review team established by the Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs Hercus, is set to assess the operations of the collective, prompted by the rising demand for refuge services over the past five years. Mrs Hercus indicated that her team would review the claims made in the Churches' booklet but also clarified that funding would continue for groups that had resigned, contradicting the Churches' assertion that they forfeited government support. The collective's national co-ordinator, Ms Rosemary Ash, expressed her belief that the booklet misrepresents the many dedicated individuals working in refuges across the country, affirming that funding is allocated based on population and service metrics, and denying any claims of misconduct during meetings.

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