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Here you’ll find trusted advice on women’s safety, wellbeing and support. From understanding healthy relationships to recognising signs of harm, each topic below offers clear guidance to help you make informed decisions about your life and your whānau.

Mental & Emotional wellfare

Relationships & Safety

Women’s Wellbeing

Practical Life Support

Men & Behaviour Change

Resources & Education

We’ve gathered trusted, free resources to support women, children and whānau experiencing whānau–family violence in Dunedin and across Otago. These links provide information on crisis support, safety planning, mental health services, legal guidance and practical help. You can explore them privately and at your own pace.

Name of the brouchure >

Mental & Emotional Wellfare

Feeling anxious or overwhelmed

Why emotional abuse affects mental health

How trauma can show up in everyday life

It’s common to feel anxious, shaky, confused or unable to focus when you’re living with stress or uncertainty. Your body is trying to keep you safe. Reaching out to someone you trust or meeting with an Ōtepoti Dunedin Whānau Refuge advocate can support you to make sense of what you’re experiencing.

Helpful resources >

Emotional abuse chips away at your sense of worth and safety. It can cause self-doubt, fear, confusion, guilt and long-term stress. You might feel like you’re “walking on eggshells” or always trying to prevent conflict. These feelings are real, and support is available to help you rebuild your wellbeing.

Helpful resources >

Trauma can appear unexpectedly in your daily routine. Trouble sleeping, feeling jumpy, avoiding certain places, sudden sadness, losing interest in things you enjoyed, or feeling disconnected from others. These reactions are your body’s way of coping. Healing becomes easier when you have support and safety around you.

Helpful resources >

Relationships & Safety

Am I in an unhealthy or toxic relationship?

Am I in danger?

Coercive control and manipulation

A healthy relationship feels safe, respectful and balanced. If you feel scared, controlled, belittled, or constantly on edge, these may be signs of an unhealthy relationship. Abuse is not only physical — emotional, financial, sexual and psychological harm are just as real.

Helpful resources >

If you are frightened, isolated, or feel your partner’s behaviour is escalating, trust your instincts. Consider making a safety plan, keeping essentials somewhere safe, and identifying people or places you can reach in an emergency.

Helpful resources >

Coercive control can include monitoring your movements, limiting access to money, isolating you from friends, or making you feel guilty for wanting independence. It often builds slowly and can be harder to recognise.

Helpful resources >

Womens Wellbeing

Trusting your instincts

If something feels “off”, controlling, unsafe or confusing — your instincts are telling you something important. You don’t need evidence or proof to reach out

Helpful resources >

Is it abuse if they never hit me?

Yes. Emotional, verbal, financial and sexual harm are all forms of abuse. Abuse is about power and control, not bruises.

Helpful resources >

Building boundaries

You have the right to say no, set limits, and make decisions about your own life. Boundaries help protect your wellbeing and restore your sense of control.

Helpful resources >

Practical Life Support

Financial pressure or financial abuse

If someone controls your money, limits access to essentials, or uses finances to control your movements, this is financial abuse. You can get help to understand your rights and options.

Helpful resources >

Housing or emergency needs

If you need a safe place urgently, refuges across NZ offer confidential accommodation and practical support.

Women’s Refuge Crisis Line: 0800 REFUGE >

Getting medical and wellbeing support

We can help you access doctors, mental health support, ACC Sensitive Claims, and other health services that align with your needs and culture.

Enquire Now

Men & Behaviour Change

Is there support for tāne

If you are concerned about your behaviour, feel out of control, or want to build healthier relationships, with your whānau support is available. Reaching out is a strong and important step. At Ōtepoti Dunedin Whānau Refuge, we work alongside tāne who want to make positive changes in their lives and relationships.

How we support tāne:

Behaviour change programmes
Structured programmes that support understanding of violence, accountability, and the impact on whānau and tamariki.
One-to-one support
Individual support to reflect on behaviours, build new skills, and develop safer ways of responding.
Tools for change
Practical strategies to manage emotions, communicate respectfully, and build healthy relationships.
Culturally responsive support
Support that respects identity, culture, and values, including Te Ao Māori perspectives.

Change takes time, honesty, and commitment but it is possible. We are here to support safer outcomes for you and your whānau.

Enquire Now >