A candlelight vigil has been held in west Auckland tonight following a week which saw three violent deaths in the area.
Residents in Ranui held anti-violence posters and lit candles for Farhat Malik and her teenage daughter who died after being stabbed last Monday.
Ms Malik's husband, 55-year-old Ishrat Malik, is facing murder charges and due to appear in Auckland High court next month.
Women's refuge group Shakti believes domestic violence is too common in migrant families and they receive around 700 calls monthly from women seeking help.
"Women cannot come out of abuse because they are afraid," says Shakti co-ordinator Sabah Al-Mushdaq.
"If a woman gets a protection order, it does not mean she is safe. Abuse is not appropriate and there is not cultural excuse for any kind of abuse."
Ms Al-Mushdaq believes that this case has prompted more victims to come forward.
A father and son are also facing charges following a shooting in Ranui last Wednesday, which left one man dead and another injured.
3 News
source: newshub archive
