Help available for family violence and sexual violence in lockdown

If someone makes you fearful, threatens, harasses or hurts you, seek help as soon as possible.

Support services are still open.

You can leave your bubble if you’re worried about your safety.

If you or someone else is in danger, call Police on 111. If you can’t call for help, get out of the house and ask a neighbour or someone else to call 111.

If you or someone you know is in danger and it’s not safe to talk, Police have the Silent Solution – phone 111 and if you do not speak, you will get the option of pressing: 55.

You can then listen carefully to the call-taker’s questions and instructions so they can arrange assistance for you.

Support services are listed on https://safebubble.org.nz/

Or call, message, or email:

• Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843, info@refuge.org.nz, or Facebook message
• Look for the shield symbol at the bottom on websites like The Warehouse, TradeMe, Countdown and others including the Joint venture website, www.violencefree.govt.nz - these shielded sites let you safely contact Women's Refuge. 
• Safe to Talk sexual harm helpline 0800 044334, text 4334, email support@safetotalk.nz
• Shine domestic abuse services free call 0508 744 633
• 1737, Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 for mental health support from a trained counsellor
• Hey Bro helpline - supporting men to be free from violence 0800 HeyBro (439 276)
• Oranga Tamariki line for concerns about children and young people 0508 326 459, email contact@ot.govt.nz
• Youthline - 0800 376 633, free text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz
• Shakti - for migrant and refugee women 0800 742 584 - available 24 hours
• Elder Abuse Helpline 0800 32 668 65 - available 24 hours

For further information on the whole-of-government approach to family violence and sexual violence issues in a COVID-19 environment, including a fuller list of support services, see https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/family-and-sexual-violence-prevention/ 

You can also find further information on the Government’s work on family violence and sexual violence at the Joint Venture, Family Violence and Sexual Violence website at www.violencefree.govt.nz Note: this is a general information website, and not a crisis response website.