HealthInfo Canterbury

Referral & support agencies (assault)

Local support agencies

Canterbury Police (03) 363-7400

Refuges (all 24 hours per day, 7 days a week)

• Battered Women's Trust (03) 364-8900
• Christchurch Women's Refuge 0800-73-38‑43
• Te Whare Hauora 0800-117-474
• Shakti Ethnic Women's Refuge 0800-742-584
• West Christchurch Women's Refuge (03) 379-0575

Elder abuse

• Age Concern Christchurch (03) 366-0903

Stopping violence

• Stopping Violence Services (03) 365-6266 or 0800-478-778
• Aviva 24-hour support line 0800 AVIVA NOW (0800‑2848‑2669)
• He Waka Tapu office (03) 373-8150 or crisis line 0800‑439‑252
• Recognising and responding to partner abuse. Ministry of Health.

Abuse against adult males

• Canterbury Men's Centre (03) 365-9000
• Father & Child Trust (03) 982-2440
• Victim Support (03) 363-7643 or crisis line for victims 0800 VICTIM (0800-842-846)

Services for children

If you have immediate concerns about the safety of children, are uncertain what to do next, or need help or advice, phone National Call Centre Child Youth & Family 0508-326-459.

There are programmes available for:

• Children and young people – aiming to address their needs and give them the skills and strength to move forward in their lives.
• Adult caregivers – to inform and enable positive parenting approaches.

For more information see www.areyouok.org.nz. Or contact the Christchurch advocate for children and young people experiencing family violence: phone Barnardos (03) 365-3923 between 8.30 am and 4.30 p.m, and they will put you through to the best agency for help.

The agencies and their programmes include:

• Aviva Family Violence Services (Women's Refuge) – Christchurch Tamariki Children's Programme

  This 10-week education group programme about family violence is for children aged 5 to 12 years. It offers one-to-one support for children and teens experiencing family violence.

  Phone: 0800‑28482‑669 (0800‑AVIVA‑NOW)

  Website: www.avivafamilies.org.nz

• Barnardos – Footsteps to Feeling Safe

  This nine-week group programme is for children aged 4 to 14 years who have experienced family violence.

  Phone: 0800-227-627 (0800-BARNARDOS)

  Website www.barnardos.org.nz

Helplines

• Barnados Child Helpline 0800 WHATSUP (0800-942‑8787)
• Family Violence Helpline 0800-456-450
• SHINE 0508-744-633
• Lifeline 0800-543-354

Others

• Websites:
  • www.areyouok.org.nz – Resources for patients and practices, including patient stories, resources for those who are concerned about family members, etc.
  • Ministry of Health family violence guidelines and reports – Resources and information for providers.
• Relationship Services 0800-735-283
• Community Law Canterbury (03) 366-6870
• Te Puna Oranga (for Maori women) (03) 381-8472
• Useful free phone numbers for patients:
  • SHINE (formerly Preventing Violence in the Home) 0508-744-633 – Crisis line providing brief intervention counselling plus information on local services.
  • Family violence line 0800-456-450 – Crisis line provides information on local services in each area, linked to areyouok.org.nz

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Reviewed February 2016.

Page reference: 48117

Review key: HIRSA-16814