Where to go for help

If you or someone you know suffers from abuse and violence, you have a right to ask for help, and help is available in many places.  Below is a list of organisations that you can contact.  Services are confidential, and often free.

Safe to talk He pai ki te kōrero

Safe to Talk is a 24/7 support service for sexual violence available to all gender identities. Safe to Talk provides contact with a trained specialist and can help with referrals/putting you in touch with community support services and specialists, information about medical and police procedures, answers to questions around sexual violence and related issues. 

Safe to talk is operating during Alert Level 4 and available 24/7 by: Calling: 0800 044 334 or texting: 4334 Emailing: support@safetotalk.nz or Live webchat on www.safetotalk.nz

FindSupport

ACC funds support following sexual violence ACC offers fully-funded and immediate support and treatment – including support for your family and whānau (therapy and related treatment). It doesn’t matter if it happened recently or a long time ago, if it was or wasn't reported, there’s support available when you’re ready. 

For more information or assistance in finding a therapist you can call ACC on 0800 736 566 (Monday- Friday 8AM-5PM). ACC is operating remotely during Alert Level 4. 

Women’s Refuge

The National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges is an organisation for women and their children that works to help prevent and stop family violence in New Zealand.  Advice and help is available on a 24-hour crisis line.

Women’s Refuge can:

• talk to you if you’re worried about your safety in your relationship and help you make a safety plan. 
• provide a safe place to go to if you need help urgently. 
• help you stand up for your needs whether or not you are thinking of leaving. 

Women’s refuges provide support services designed especially for children, young people, wāhine Māori, Pacific women, migrant and refugee women. They also assist LGBTIQA+ identifying women, older women, and women with disabilities. 

Free national 24-hour crisis line: 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843

 Making Homes Violence Free in New Zealand - Shine 

Shine is an Auckland-based organisation that offers short-term accommodation for women and their children who are at risk of further harm from domestic abuse/family violence.  Families who stay at the safe house have the time and space they need to recover from the shock and fear caused by the abuse.  They are in a safe environment and are supported by experienced and friendly staff.  The safe house is at a confidential address, and offers warmth, shelter, safety, food and clothing. Click here for contact information for Shine.

Free national helpline, 24/7: 0508 744 633 

Sexual assault support centres

If you have been sexually assaulted, whether by someone you know or someone you don’t know, you can contact one of the sexual assault support centre listed here.

Some of these centres operate a 24-hour crisis line where you can get immediate help and confidential advice.  Click here for more information.

 24/7 Helpline - HELP

The HELP helpline is a free 24/7 service available for victim/survivors of recent acts of violence, those dealing with long-term effects of historical violence, anyone in the community concerned that someone in the community is at risk of sexual harm. The helpline staff are qualified counsellors. 

24/7 Helpline: 0800 623 1700. 

Crisis Numbers

Shakti 

Shakti Community Council Inc. was set up by ethnic women for ethnic women to overcome the barriers that come with migration and break the bonds of cultural oppression imposed on them for generations. Shakti has four ethnic women's refuges in Aotearoa New Zealand and operates a 24- hour free and confidential crisis line. Click here for contact information for Shakti.  

24/7 Helpline: 0800 742 584

Are you OK?

The ‘It’s not OK’ campaign runs a free 0800 Family Violence Information Line that provides self-help information and connects people to services.  It is available seven days a week, from 9.00 am to 11.00 pm, with an after-hours message redirecting callers in the case of an emergency.  Click here for for more information.

Free 0800 Family Violence Information Line: 0800 456 450.

Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga - National Network Stopping Violence Services

Te Kupenga – the National Network of Stopping Violence – is a network or ‘he kupenga’ of 42 independent community-based organisations.  They work to enable all people in Aotearoa / New Zealand to live safely and respectfully in a society free of all forms of violence and oppression – the safety of women and children is paramount. Click here for information, or to contact your closest Te Kupenga Member agency.

Elder Abuse in New Zealand

The Elder Abuse Helpline is a free service with a helpline that operates 24/7. The helpline connects you with a registered nurse who can provide more information on support and advice.

Free24/7 helpline 0800 32 6685 or text 5032 or email support@elderabuse.nz 

OutLine Aotearoa

OutLine Aotearoa is a confidential, free, all-ages rainbow (LGBTIQA+) mental health organisation that provides support to the rainbow community, their whānau, their friends and those questioning. OutLine provide a free, confidential support line for those wanting to talk to a trained volunteer from the rainbow community. OutLine also provides specialist rainbow counselling and a trans and non-binary peer support service based in Auckland. 

0800 OUTLINE / 0800 688 5463 from 6-9PM every night. 

Tu Wahine Trust 

Tu Wāhine Trust is a support service located in West Auckland available for all ages and whānau, the service is for victim/survivors of all violence, with a speialist focus on sexual violence and violence occuring in a whānau context,  the practice is made up of Māori and mainstream qualified professionals with an approach informed by kaupapa Māori in the modern world context. Tu Wāhine Trust provides services such as counselling, therapy and support by qualified professionals, education and awareness, advocating for victim/survivors and whānau. 

All of Tu Wāhine Trust's services are FREE

Call 09 838 8700 Monday-Friday 9AM-4:30PM or email admin@tuwahine.org.nz 

Fatimah Foundation

Fatimah Foundation is an Auckland based organisation establish to provide Family Assistance To Islamic Mothers And Homes (FATIMAH). The Foundation's point of difference from other service providers is the advisory role and counselling services offered, based on cultural and Muslim values and principals to live within a New Zealand context.

Fatimah Foundation can be contacted on 02211757988 Monday- Friday 9AM-5PM or at info@fatimahfoundation.org.nz