Tauranga Women’s Refuge is heading into 2024 in full swing.

“The 24/7 domestic violence helpline was quiet between December 22 and December 31, 2023,” says manager Hazel Hape. 

“Since then, the helpline has been busy with calls for safety and support services.”

Families tend to come together more over the Christmas period and it’s the New Year where things start to get stressful and challenging with family around domestic violence, Hazel previously told SunLive.

“The number of women reaching out for support has increased, however, support from other refuges around the country has been sought when our safe house or being at home has not been able to keep her and the children safe.

“Thus, we have relied heavily on the support of sister refuges from around the country.”

Hazel says it’s been “another busy year of helping to save the lives of women, children, their families, whanau and communities affected by Domestic violence”.

Tauranga Women’s Refuge is always able to provide support.

“We are accessible 24 hours a week, seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year.

“Domestic violence is shockingly common in Tauranga, it’s important to recognise that you may not know what somebody is going through.”

The loss of women and children “who I’ve seen whose lives have been taken as a result of domestic violence” is something Hazel never forgets.

If you or someone you know is in danger, reach out to the refuge.

"Even if it’s 3am and there’s a decision to bring a woman and children to the safe house, then we have to get out of bed and go and coordinate a meeting with her and the children safely – usually with the support of friends or family or a member of the public, or police or the hospital to make a safe passage into the houses.”

In 2024, Hazel's aspiration for Tauranga Women’s Refuge are to see a Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty-wide Te Aorerekura Action plan network between government and NGOs be established locally for planning, review, evaluation, monitoring and auditing purposes.

She says this would help to create a process that aims to eliminate family violence and sexual violence.

 “It doesn’t matter what your race, what your ethnicity, what your sexual preferences are, what your politics are, what your religion is, we’re here – if you need support from us at any time, then reach out!”

If you’re experiencing domestic violence or you know anyone who needs safety and support, phone the police on 111 or Tauranga Refuge on 0800 867 338.