HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Family violence
Ūtongatanga ā-whānau
Important
Phone 111 for the police if you are in immediate danger. Or see the list of support lines below for other local organisations that can help. The list includes It's not OK which has information in 10 languages.
Family (whānau) violence affects many people’s lives. It includes domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Also, child abuse and neglect and elder abuse and neglect.
When a family member is violent towards you, they can be violent in different ways. The violence might be physical, sexual, emotional or psychological.
If you are experiencing violence in your home, it can affect every aspect of your life. It can cause physical injuries and affect your mental wellbeing. You may feel scared and alone.
Abuse is never OK, and neither is feeling scared in your own home. If you are feeling scared or someone is abusing you, there are many people available to help you.
The first thing to do is to tell someone. This can be hard. Sometimes it is easier to tell someone you do not know. You could tell a friend, health professional, the police or a support agency.
There are employment rights for people who have experienced family violence.
The following links offer help and resources for people affected by family violence. There are links for people whose violent behaviour is affecting others. Also, for people concerned about friends and family.
Support for everyone
- Aviva – 0800-AVIVA-NOW (0800‑28482‑669) – support line available 24 hours a day
Aviva supports people of any age, gender or experience of violence. They aim to create safer, healthier personal and family relationships. You can also get advice if you are concerned for someone else.
- It's not OK – 0800-456-450 – family violence information line available 24 hours, every day
Advice and information for anyone experiencing or using family violence. You can also get advice if you are concerned for someone else. Includes information in 10 languages.
- Victim Support – 0800-VICTIM (0800-842-846) – crisis line available 24 hours a day
Information for anyone experiencing family violence.
Support for women
- Battered Women's Trust – 0800-REFUGE (0800-733-843) or (03) 364‑8900 – crisis line available 24 hours a day
Support for women and tamariki (children) affected by family violence. For non-urgent issues, phone (03) 332‑4122 or email lois.bwt@xtra.co.nz.
- Shakti Ethnic Women's Support Group – 0800-SHAKTI (0800-742-584) – crisis line available 24 hours a day
Shakti provides culturally specialist, confidential support services. The services are for women and their tamariki of Asian, African and Middle Eastern origin. For non-urgent issues, phone (03) 389-2028 or email sewsg@shakti.org.nz.
- Te Whare Hauora (formerly Ōtautahi Women’s Refuge) – 0800-11-74-74 – crisis line available 24 hours a day
Te Whare Hauora provides a safe place for wāhine (women) and tamariki affected by domestic violence. Email admin@tewharehauora.com.
Support for men
- Canterbury Men's Centre – (03) 365-9000
Counselling and other resources for men.
Support for the rainbow community
- Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura
The organisation aims to build rainbow communities in Aotearoa New Zealand free of partner and sexual violence.
Women's Refuge Shielded Site project
The Women's Refuge has a tool for victims of abuse to ask for help. You can use the tool without fear of it showing up in your browser’s history or an abusive partner ever seeing it.
The Women's Refuge Shielded Site icon is shown here. You will see it on many New Zealand websites including this one. On HealthInfo, it is on the right-hand side at the bottom of every page.
When you see the icon, you can click it to bring up a shielded portal. You can use the portal to contact the Women's Refuge and find out how to make a plan to safely get out of a dangerous situation. You can also use it to learn how to stay safe online and get answers to questions about what comes next.
For more information about the Shielded Site project, follow this link. Warning, this link will appear in your browser's history.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- New Zealand Police – Help for family violence
Information and help for people experiencing family violence. The NZ police are actively involved in reducing family violence and supporting people to become safe.
- Women's Refuge
Resources and information for people affected by family violence. You can also Find a local refuge.
HealthInfo recommends the following apps
- Are you OK? – Bright Sky app
This New Zealand based app provides safe, practical support and information for people concerned about family violence. It is also for people who are worried about their safety or the safety of someone they care about.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed October 2023.
Sources
Review key: HIFAM-47976
