NZFVC wishes you a safe and happy break, reopening 7 January 2019

The Clearinghouse will be closed for the holiday break from Thursday 20 December 2018. We will reopen on Monday 7 January 2019.

Last year the It's Not OK Campaign put out key messages to support people responding to family members who may be experiencing or using violence over the holidays.

These are below:

"Help your family be safer these holidays

• Discuss ways to make family visits, travelling or parties safer
• Make a plan to check in with anyone you're concerned about
• Name abusive behaviour that you don't like. Don't let booze or drugs be an excuse
• Keep an eye on children and what's going on around them
• Support someone to get space or time-out
• Take care of yourself"
  

The campaign also provides information about danger signs and how to help. This includes suggestions for what to say or do if you are concerned about someone.

Seeking help

Contact details for support services are provided on our website.

Look for the icon below on New Zealand websites: clicking on it opens a shielded site to allow family violence victims to find information online without leaving an online trail. It opens webpages with information about finding help, without the webpages appearing in a user's browser. Here is more information about the The Shielded Site Project.

Donations

Women's Refuge has partnered with Bunnings Warehouse this year and highlights the types of donations and gifts which are most useful for people to give to support Women's Refuge over the holiday period.

Many other organisations also accept donations.

Providing services

Each year, the US-based National Resource Centre on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) publishes a holiday toolbox. The guidance documents provide support around providing services for victims over the holiday period, such as cultural sensitivity, food-related needs of survivors, and responding to the wellness needs of staff.

New resources for victim/survivors of sexual violence

These new services and resources have been launched during the year:

Safe to talk - Kōrero mai, ka ora
24/7 Sexual harm helpline: 0800 044 334 or text 4334 

Victims' Infomation (Ministry of Justice)
- Mā te hunga e pāngia ana e te koeretanga | For people affected by sexual violence 

Sexual harassment - advice for workers (Worksafe)

We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season. We look forward to working with you again in the new year.