About Us
Crisis Response, Support & Advocacy, Long Term Healing & Recovery
Supporting women, children, families/whanau in the Christchurch and Canterbury community since 1986.
Dedicated to breaking the cycle of control and violence
About Us
WE ARE HERE TO HELP PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SUPPORT THOSE BEING AFFECTED
Our vision:
A world where all forms of violence are eliminated.
Our purpose:
We are an organisation that promotes and protects the rights of women, children,
families/whanau to live free from any form of violence and abuse.
Our Values:
- Integrity
- Self Determination
- Equity
- Partnership / Relationships
- Respect
- Mannakitanga – Tika Pono Aroha
We are an independent organisation affiliated to the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges. We are a general refuge which means we support and provide services for all ethnic groups; we strive at all times to provide culturally appropriate services that meet the needs of the whole wellbeing of women, children and family/whanau.
Our organisation is committed to the four cornerstones of the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges; the cornerstones; underpin our values.
Our Four cornerstones are:
- Collectivism – allowing for everyone’s voice to be heard and involved in decision making.
- Parallel Development – commitment to tino rangatirantanga and culturally appropriate services for tangata whenua.
- Takatāpui Nurturing Diversity: Commitment to nurture diversity and difference and work actively to combat heterosexism and homophobia– affirming and promoting women’s rights to identity free from all forms of violence and oppression.
- Feminism – where the rights of women are promoted and protected.
Our History
GROUNDBREAKING WORK IMPROVING LIVES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN
West Christchurch Women’s Refuge was first established in 1986 as an Incorporated Society in response to the safety needs of women & children affected by domestic violence. At this time the services provided were a 24 hour crisis line and a refuge safe house, and the work was carried out by a collective of dedicated Christchurch women. We acknowledge the tireless work carried on a 100% voluntary basis by those women.
Over the years our services have developed and expanded in response to need; changing social issues; to increase accessibility to services; and for the provision of the best possible outcomes for those affected by domestic violence.
Today we are a collective with a governance board and a mix of paid staff and volunteer advocates. Our structure, and the policies and practices we work within strive to ensure the four cornerstones are upheld.
We are committed to the highest level of professional practice – our governance board members are women who come from a range of professional backgrounds; the staff team are fully supported with membership of a recognised professional body; all advocates are comprehensively trained and supported in their ongoing professional development.
We work collaboratively with many agencies, non-government and government, as collaboration is integral to mitigating risk and increasing safety. Ensuring the best possible outcomes for the women, children and families/whānau we support is our primary aim.
