Information for parents

Click here to go to our other COVID-19 pages

 

During an emergency, partner violence and child abuse can get worse. 

The impacts from COVID-19 may affect your ability to parent, and how you keep yourself and your children safe. This page has information if you, or someone you know is affected by violence. 

 

For parents experiencing violence 

Helplines and family violence services are still available. You can call them any time. See our Information for people experiencing abuse

Help is also available for people using violence.  

If you are worried about someone else see our information on how to help

Stay connected. Talk to friends, whānau and neighbours if you need help or support.

You can get help with living expenses from Work and Income or call them on 0800 559 009. Extra help is available if you have been impacted by COVID-19.

 

If you are separated and have shared care 

Shared care arrangements can be a particular concern for people who have experienced violence from their co-parent. People who use violence may use contact arrangements as a tool to control their partner. They may use COVID-19 restrictions as a reason to not comply with contact arrangements.

The Ministry of Justice regulary updates their Guidance for managing shared parenting during COVID-19 - especially when restrictions change. 

For updates on how Courts have changed because of COVID see the Ministry of Justice Information for all court users and Information for familes and whānau. You can find updates related to Family Court and Youth Court on the District Courts website. You can also call 0800 COURTS (0800 268 787). 

If you need help to manage shared custody contact a lawyer. You can contact Community Law Centres for free legal support. There have been some changes to eligibility for legal aid because of the impacts from COVID-19. See the Ministry of Justice website to find a legal aid lawyer/provider.

You may have to change how you interact and communicate with your former partner about shared care. This resource from the UK has information on keeping safe under Some issues to consider when thinking about alternatives to contact when there are safety concerns. The legal recommendations do not apply in New Zealand.

 

Updates from Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children

See the Oranga Tamariki website for information on how Oranga Tamariki has changed their service because of COVID-19.

 

Looking after your children 

Your children’s wellbeing is linked to your wellbeing. It is important to look after yourself. See the official COVID-19 website for information on wellbeing for suggestions to look after your mental health, support your children and free tools. See the list of helplines for where to go if you need more help. 

Te Ngākau Kahukura has information for people who are working with, supporting or living with rainbow young people. There are some specific ways that rainbow rangatahi might be affected by the pandemic. Scoll down to the information For rainbow young people and their whānau.

 

 

If you work with parents who may be experiencing partner violence

This brief explains the link between partner violence and child abuse.  

Our NZFVC issues paper on Child maltreatment, intimate partner violence and parenting identifies 5 key principles when working with parents: 

  • Provide holistic support for children 
  • Support the non-abusing parent 
  • Support the mother-child relationship 
  • Hold the perpetrator accountable 
  • Be culturally responsive 

For more information on how to respond, see our information for non-specialist services

 

Click here to go to our other COVID-19 pages

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