Our services are grounded in safety, dignity, partnership, and practical support.
West Coast Women’s Refuge provides a range of specialist family violence services designed to support individuals and whānau experiencing family violence.
Every situation is different, which means support is tailored to the needs, goals, and pace of each person we walk alongside.
24-Hour Crisis Support
Support when you need it most.
Our crisis support service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
When someone contacts us, they will speak with a trained family violence specialist who can provide support, information, safety planning, and guidance around next steps.
Support may include:
Immediate emotional support
Safety assessments
Safety planning
Information and advice
Referrals to other services
Access to emergency accommodation where appropriate
Every conversation is confidential and client-led.
Safehouse Accommodation
Safe, confidential accommodation support.
We can provide safehouse accommodation on a case-by-case basis for wāhine and their tamariki, with supported housing options for tāne who are engaged with our service.
Our accommodation support aims to provide safety, stability, and breathing space during difficult situations.
Support within accommodation may include:
Safety planning
Advocacy and practical support
Support navigating systems and appointments
Emotional support and connection
Assistance planning next steps
Accommodation availability and eligibility are assessed based on individual safety needs and circumstances.
Advocacy Services
Walking alongside you through systems and processes
Family violence often comes alongside complicated systems, appointments, and decisions.
Our advocates can support individuals and whānau with:
Police processes
Court support
WINZ appointments
Oranga Tamariki involvement
Housing support
Referrals to legal or specialist services
Navigating community systems and processes
Advocacy is about helping people feel informed, supported, and heard while maintaining dignity, upholding mana, and preserving choice.
Safety Planning
Safety plans developed together
Safety planning is a core part of our support services.
We work alongside individuals and whānau to develop practical safety plans based on their unique situation, risks, and goals.
Safety planning may involve:
Immediate safety strategies
Planning around tamariki, whānau, and pets
Communication and technology safety
Identifying safe people and places
Planning for emergencies or escalation
No two safety plans are the same.
Every safety plan is tailored to the needs, circumstances, and choices of the individual or whānau involved.
Women's Programmes
Support, education, and connection
We offer women’s family violence safety programmes designed to restore mana, support healing, understanding, confidence, and safer futures.
Programmes currently include:
Wāhine Purotu Wāhine Toa
Our women's safety programme supporting wāhine impacted by family violence.
Programmes may include:
Understanding family violence and coercive control
Restoring mana and rebuilding self-worth, self-esteem, self-image, and confidence
Healthy relationships and boundaries
Safety and wellbeing
Connection and peer support
These programmes are delivered in supportive, non-judgemental environments and are available to women experiencing family violence.
Our programmes continue to evolve in response to community need and available resources.
Tamariki & Rangatahi Support
Child & Youth Programmes
Supporting tamariki and rangatahi impacted by family violence.
Family violence can have deep and lasting impacts on tamariki and rangatahi.
Our specialised child and youth programmes provide age-appropriate support focused on emotional safety, wellbeing, confidence, and healthy relationships.
Programmes include:
Tu Maia Tamariki
Support programme for tamariki aged 5–12 years.
Tu Maia Rangatahi
Support programme for rangatahi aged 13–17 years.
We also provide specialised child advocacy services focused on the safety and wellbeing of tamariki.
Support For Men
Specialist support for men experiencing or using family violence
West Coast Women’s Refuge provides specialist male advocacy support services.
We provide support for men experiencing family violence, as well as men who recognise their behaviour is causing harm and want support to create positive change.
Support may include:
One-to-one advocacy
Safety planning
Information and advice
Support navigating systems
Referrals and connection to services
Supported accommodation options for eligible clients
We also recognise that meaningful change takes support, accountability, and safe pathways forward.
Information, Advice & Referrals
Helping people understand their options
Sometimes the most important first step is simply having clear information.
Our team provides practical information and advice to help people make informed decisions about safety, support, and next steps.
We also work closely with other organisations and can help connect people with appropriate community, legal, health, housing, and specialist services.
You do not need to know exactly what support you need before reaching out.
Long-Term Support
Support does not end after crisis
Family violence recovery and rebuilding safety often takes time.
Some people may engage with us briefly.
Others may stay connected for months or longer while navigating change, restoring mana, rebuilding confidence, and creating safer futures for themselves and their whānau.
We remain focused on providing compassionate, practical, mana-enhancing support throughout that journey.
There is no expectation that support follows a particular timeline. We work alongside people at their own pace and for as long as support remains helpful and appropriate.
Not sure what support you need?
You do not need to know exactly what service fits your situation before reaching out.
Our team can talk through your situation with you and help identify what support may feel helpful and safe.
24-Hour Crisis Line
0800 208 339
🏳️🌈 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.
Quick Links
View our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions here.
© Womens Refuge West Coast 2026. All Rights Reserved.