Women's Refuge is New Zealand’s leading agency in responding to and preventing Domestic Violence. The National Home Safety Service – Whānau Protect is an additional service that is offered to high risk victims of domestic violence.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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:

Click here to complete an Initial Referral

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

Need help now?

Crisisline: 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843

Phone us toll free from anywhere in New Zealand for information, advice and support about domestic violence as well as help in a crisis. We’re here to help you on this phone number 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Follow the simple steps to be put through to your local refuge on your touchtone or mobile phone. You will be automatically redirected to a female advocate in your region.

Email Us