Video: For women experiencing violence, refuge is not the answer – Nicola Woodward TEDx

Nicola Woodward has spent six years dealing with New Zealand’s domestic violence problems, and she knows one thing: the refuge model is broken and the problem is still behind closed doors. In this moving and well-argued talk, she explains why it’s paradoxical and unjust to expect women experiencing violence to leave the home and offers a more constructive, more optimistic solution.

Nicola joined specialist family violence agency Aviva as CEO in 2011 to lead the agency’s transformation from Christchurch Women’s Refuge. Nicola is passionate about bringing purposeful social sector innovation to reform New Zealand’s response to family violence. Following the Canterbury earthquakes, Nicola co-founded The Loft at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Christchurch. In England, Nicola worked from London’s frontline with people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion, to the Department of Health as a strategist and Commissioner. Nicola’s first trade was nursing; she’s now a fisher and a jet boater. Nicola Woodward joined specialist family violence agency Aviva as CEO in 2011 to lead the agency’s transformation from Christchurch Women’s Refuge. Nicola is passionate about bringing purposeful social sector innovation to reform New Zealand’s response to family violence. Following the Canterbury earthquakes Nicola co-founded The Loft at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Christchurch. In England Nicola worked from London’s frontline with people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion, to the Department of Health as a strategist and Commissioner. Nicola’s first trade was nursing; she’s now a fisher and a jet boater.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.