New Zealand Sign LanguageNZSL: Are you or someone you know in an unhealthy relationship?
NZSL Episode 1
10 / 12 / 24
7 min
Are you or someone you know in an unhealthy relationship?
What to do if you are in immediate danger
If your life is in danger, your safety is the most important thing. Contact the Police or someone you trust to help keep you safe.
Text 111
If you are Deaf, hard of hearing or have speech difficulties, you can text the police on 111 – but you need to have registered first [https://www.police.govt.nz/111-txt]
Or use the NZ Relay video interpreting service to call the Family Violence Information Line on 0800 456 450
The NZ Relay video interpreting service is available Monday to Friday 8am-8pm; Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm. If you need help outside of these times, use the Police Text 111 service.
What family violence might look/feel like
Family violence is not just physical. It also includes emotional, verbal, psychological, sexual and financial abuse.
It’s common for people in abusive relationships to think things like:
• “It doesn’t happen all the time, they still love me”
• “I feel like they’re playing mind games with me — I’m so confused”
• “This is normal when you’re married”
• “He is my husband so he is entitled”
• “I’m scared of what will happen if I leave” or
• “Maybe it’s my fault”.
You are not to blame — you don’t make someone hurt you, and you deserve to be and feel safe.
Laws around Family Violence in New Zealand
In New Zealand family violence is a crime and it is against the law for anyone to physically, verbally, sexually or psychologically abuse another person. This includes children experiencing or seeing or hearing these kinds of abuse.
This abuse can include a single act or a number of acts that form part of a pattern of behaviour (even if all or any of those acts, when viewed in isolation, may appear to be minor or trivial).
This violence may be coercive or controlling and/or cause the person cumulative harm.
Dowry-related violence is also a crime in New Zealand and includes violence that relates to what is given or received as part of a marriage or proposed marriage.
We understand this is a stressful and scary situation, but there is support around. Reach out for help or ask for more information.
Where to get help
Use the NZ Relay video interpreting service to call these services to get help.
The NZ Relay video interpreting service is available Monday to Friday 8am-8pm; Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm. If you need help outside of these times, use the Police Text 111 service.
Family Violence Information Line – 0800 456 450 24/7 access to trained professionals who offer information and support, so you can choose what to do, including getting help in your area. This phone line has some access to spoken language interpreters.
NCIWR – 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843) 24/7 help for women and children experiencing family violence, including advocacy and accommodation.
Shine – 0508 744 633 24/7 Confidential help for people experiencing family violence or abuse, or concerned about someone else, and people using abuse who want to make a change. They can also connect you with other support services if you need them.
Shakti – 0800 SHAKTI (0800 742 584) 24/7 multi lingual helpline for women in crisis or in need of urgent information or for those who know someone experiencing family violence and needs help.
PG
Description
Family violence information translated into New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL)
This video provides a guide to who Good Shepherd are and what they do. Good Shepherd is a charity organisation that supports women and girls in experiencing economic abuse, which is a form of family violence. Good Shepherd can help people access financial assistance, including no interest loans, help to advocate to the financial sector and to creditors who might be chasing unjust debt. The services are free and anyone over the age of 18 can use them, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or sexual identity.
