Help and support for violence, abuse or neglect
Disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori are much more likely to experience violence and abuse or neglect than other New Zealanders.
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, abuse or neglect there is help available.
On this page
If it is an emergency
- Call 111 now
- If you have difficulty hearing or talking, you can text 111if you are registered for the 111 TXT service external.
What information and support is available?
Are you OK website
The Are You OK website external includes a range of resources for disabled people and carers external, to understand unsafe relationships, identify abuse and seek help.
Information from the New Zealand Government
There are many different types of abuse and violence. More information from the New Zealand Government on what to do in some different situations is available on:
- Domestic and family violence external- Services and support for anyone experiencing abuse from a partner, ex-partner, family member, flatmate, friend, or carer.
- Child abuse external- If you're worried a child is being abused, please report your suspicions so authorities can investigate.
- Bullying external- Bullying is a form of aggressive or threatening behaviour — either online, or in your community, school, or where you work or live.
- Financial abuse external- Anyone can be a victim of financial abuse — find out how to recognise it, who to contact when it’s happening and how to protect yourself in the future.
Te Aorerekura – National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence
The Te Aorerekura website external includes information on organisations who can provide wellbeing support and information on family violence, sexual violence, including for Rainbow, Pacific and ethnic communities.
1737 – Need to talk?
1737 – Need to talk? external is a free service for New Zealanders feeling down, anxious, a bit overwhelmed or who just need to chat to someone. You can call 1737 or text 1737 for free 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Healthline
Healthline external provides a 24 hour a day, seven days a week over-the-phone health service you can call for free health advice, information and treatment from professional healthcare providers.
- Call Healthline at 0800 611 116
If you are Deaf, hearing impaired, Deafblind or speech impaired the Healthline team can engage with the NZ Relay Services external to support you. Please note that NZ Relay Services are only available for limited hours.
The Disability Helpline
When you call the Disability helpline a person with experience or knowledge of disability will answer your call 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Outside those times, calls are answered by a trained member of the Healthline team.
- Call 0800 11 12 13
- Text 8988 for free
- Email access@whakarongorau.nz
Disability services Complaints and feedback
Disability Support Services takes its responsibilities to disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori receiving disability supports through DSS-funded providers seriously.
It is your right to give feedback or to make a complaint about disability supports or services you've received.
Get support with making a complaint
You can ask an advocate, friend, support worker, family member or whānau to help you make a complaint.
There are also other services available that can support you.
New Zealand Relay Service
You can contact the New Zealand Relay Service external for help making a complaint. Relay services are for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, Deafblind, and for those with speech impairments who want to communicate with friends, family or organisations.
Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service
If you need support with making a complaint, you can contact the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service external, a free independent service that offers advice and support related to the complaints process.
You can contact them by phone on 0800 555 050 or email advocacy@advocacy.org.nz.