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.
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