Family Violence Intervention Programme

The programme recognises that New Zealand has a very high rate of family violence and that many victims are clients of Work and Income. Service centres are an excellent point of contact to identify and support people in this situation.

By providing a skilled client response, closely linked into existing local family violence service providers, we can make a significant contribution to reducing family violence and promoting the safety and wellbeing of people and their families.

We have developed strong working relationships with other government agencies and community-based family violence service providers to support people affected by family violence.

Our case managers have been trained to identify and respond appropriately to people who are living in or leaving violent family situations.

Family Violence Response Co-ordinators have been appointed in each region to provide support to case managers and liaise with local support services.

The programme ensures that our staff:

• have a greater awareness of the effects of family violence and the barriers victims face to participating fully in the community
• provide a safe and sensitive environment for clients experiencing family violence
• develop close links with local family violence service agencies
• are able to refer clients to appropriate support services.

The programme is available to anyone affected by family violence. People wanting help to stop using violence will also be referred to support services.

Information and support is available through the Family Violence – 'Are You Ok' website.

Are You OKexternal

The website has information on:

• understanding unsafe relationships and family violence
• getting support – for you or someone else
• communities information and support
  • takatāpui and rainbow
  • Pacific people
  • disabled people
  • ethnic communities.

The website also has tools and services to support you:

• Check It Out – answer questions to find out about abusive behaviours and how to find support
• Service Finder – find the right service for you
• 24/7 web chat and helpline services to speak with trained counsellors anytime.

If you're experiencing, using or witnessing family violence you can do something about it.

Call 111 if someone is in immediate danger.

For advice, support, and to find a support service in your area, you can either:

• call for family violence support anytime on 0800 456 450 to speak with a trained counsellor, or
• go to the 'Are You OK' website:

www.areyouok.org.nzexternal

If you feel at risk of using violence and are worried your behaviour is hurting or scaring others, there’s help to make a change. You can get advice, support and find a support service in your area by either:

• calling the 24/7 support line on 0800 456 450, or
• going to the 'Change is Possible' website:

www.changeispossible.org.nzexternal

For information about family violence support services or stopping-violence support services in your local area you can go to the Family Services Directory:

Family Services Directoryexternal

You can also contact us:

Call us

Find a service centre