Creating safer communities starts with awareness, education, and connection.

At West Coast Women’s Refuge, our work extends beyond crisis support.

We are active within our communities across the Coast, helping build greater understanding around family violence, healthy relationships, safety, and support pathways.

Through education, partnerships, advocacy, and community involvement, we work toward safer futures for individuals, whānau, and future generations.

Deeply connected to the Coast community

West Coast Women’s Refuge is actively involved in community networks, operational groups, panels, and collaborative initiatives across the Coast.

We believe meaningful change happens through strong relationships, trusted partnerships, and communities working together.

Our team regularly works alongside:

  • Community organisations

  • Government agencies

  • Schools and education providers

  • Health and wellbeing services

  • Legal and specialist support services

  • Local initiatives and working groups

As a Coast-based organisation, we understand the unique strengths and challenges of our region and the importance of locally connected support.

Education & Awareness

Family violence education and awareness

Family violence is often misunderstood, minimised, or hidden.

Part of our role is helping create greater awareness and understanding within the community around:

  • What family violence can look like

  • Coercive control and psychological abuse

  • Healthy relationships

  • The impacts of family violence on individuals and whānau

  • Barriers people face when seeking support

  • Safe and supportive responses within the community

We believe education helps reduce stigma, challenge harmful myths, and encourage safer conversations.

Community Training

Training and workshops

We provide family violence-focused education and training opportunities for organisations, community groups, and services across the Coast.

Training topics may include:

  • Understanding family violence

  • Recognising signs of abuse

  • Responding safely to disclosures

  • Supporting someone experiencing family violence

  • Trauma-informed approaches

  • Family violence myths and misconceptions

  • Community safety and referral pathways

Training and workshop opportunities may vary depending on community needs and availability.

Safety Programmes

Specialist safety programmes

Alongside advocacy and crisis support, we deliver specialist family violence safety programmes for women, tamariki, and rangatahi.

These programmes focus on:

  • Safety and wellbeing

  • Restoring mana, confidence, and self-worth

  • Understanding healthy relationships

  • Emotional support and connection

  • Developing tools for safer futures

Our programmes are designed to create supportive, respectful environments where people can learn, reflect, and grow at their own pace.

🏳️‍🌈 Everyone deserves safety. Everyone belongs here.

Womens Refuge West Coast is an affiliated member of the Women’s Refuge National Collective, working alongside refuges across Aotearoa to support women and whānau experiencing family violence.

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