The Whānau Protect service plays a key role in providing support and resources for family violence victims and their children to live free from violence while remaining in their homes. It provides an option for clients who do not want to, or cannot, leave their homes.
Whānau Protect is a service available in most locations around New Zealand to support victims of domestic violence who have separated from their abuser. It is designed to enable victims to remain living safely in their current homes with a reduced risk of family violence re-victimisation.
Our key service criteria:
- The victim must be living separately from the perpetrator, intends to remain living separately from the perpetrator, and does not intend to invite the perpetrator into their home.
- The victim fears further victimisation from the perpetrator that could result in serious physical injury.
It is important to note that this is a service for high-risk victims only and our initial referral form is designed to measure the client’s eligibility against high-risk criteria.
To apply for Whānau Protect:
If you are applying on behalf of someone else, please ensure you have their permission before proceeding.
If you wish to apply for yourself, we strongly recommend you contact your local refuge for support with the application: 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843.
About the Service
Whānau Protect is a six-month service that includes a monitored safety alarm and a home safety improvement. When the alarm is triggered, the police are notified and the unit activates an audio recording. The recording may be used by police for the purpose of investigation and prosecution against the perpetrator.
The home safety improvement involves a safety assessment of the property to identify areas of weak security that the perpetrator may use to quickly gain entry to the property. The security of these areas is then improved by a Whānau Protect contractor and a safe room is established. This room is intended as a place for the victim to shelter while waiting for the police to arrive in the event the offender attempts to gain entry to the property.
If you have any questions or queries, send us an email at whanauprotect@refuge.org.nz