Family violence

Family violence is when adults threaten, hurt or bully and badly upset another family member.

Arguments can happen but there’s a difference between arguments and family violence. Arguments are when parents or family members get angry with each other because they can’t agree on something. Family violence is when adults threaten, hurt or bully and badly upset another family member.

Family violence can be:

• Physical – hitting, pushing, kicking, slapping, or using force
• Emotional – making someone feel bad by calling them insulting names or controlling them so they can’t do something they want
• Sexual – forcing someone to have sex or making them do things they don’t want to do

Family violence is never OK. Family violence is dangerous. Your home is not safe and you need to find help.

Things you can do

Speak out and get support. Family violence is dangerous so don’t keep it a secret.

Talk to someone you trust:

• Someone in your whānau
• A friend
• One of your teachers, or a counsellor
• A youth worker
• Call 0800 What’s Up – we’re here to help

Keep yourself and others safe:

• Don’t try to break up a fight
• Keep out of the way until things calm down

What to do in an emergency

If things get really bad, it’s important you and others in your whānau don’t get hurt:

• Call 111 and ask for the Police
• Get help from a neighbour or someone else you trust
• Find somewhere safe to wait until help arrives
• Stay away from the fighting

Remember:

Family violence is never your fault: Don’t let anyone blame you for it

There are people who want to help: Don’t keep it a secret – tell someone about it.