Skip to main content
Disability Support Services

Help and support for violence, abuse or neglect

Help and support is available if you are experiencing 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 

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. 

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.  

Disability services Complaints and feedback

Whaikaha takes their responsibilities to disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori receiving disability supports through Whaikaha funded providers seriously. 

It is important to us that disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori are safe. 

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. 

Updated on 22 October 2024
Back to top