Young victim-survivors

Getting help

Overview

If someone has hurt, scared, or done something wrong to you — you don’t have to go through it alone.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call the Police on 111

If you need the Police but can’t speak for fear of harm, you will be asked to press keys for emergency assistance. If hearing or speaking is difficult, you can sign up to 111 TXT

If you need to leave this website quickly, use the ‘quick exit button’ at the bottom of the screen.

If you need urgent support services, you can get help now

Looking after yourself

There’s no right way to feel after something has happened to you. It’s normal to feel different from usual. You might be upset, scared, angry, confused or have trouble sleeping.

There are organisations out there to help young people when they are going through a tough time. You can get help, even if it happened a long time ago or you don’t want to report it to police yet.

Free help any time

There are organisations out there that can help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These include:

Youthline

Youthline(external link) supports young people between 12 and 24 years throughout Aoteaora New Zealand. They offer a free helpline service over phone, text, webchat and email, and free face-to-face counselling services.

Here’s how you can reach them:

freephone: 0800 37 66 33
text: 234
message on WhatsApp: 09 886 56 96
chat with a counsellor online: Youth Counselling | Youthline(external link)

Other organisations

Victim Support Manaaki Tāngata(external link): call 0800 842 846 for free any time to talk to someone about how you feel and get practical help.
Keep it real(external link): is a site with different support services especially for young people
Netsafe(external link): if someone has caused you harm online, Netsafe can help you. Call: <number> 0508 638 723 </number>, text: 4282 or visit their website to file a report online(external link).
What’s Up(external link): is a safe place for tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) to talk with counsellors. You can call them for free on 0800 54 57 54 (Mon-Sun 11am – 11pm) or visit their website to chat online (Mon-Sun 11am – 10.30pm)
Skylight Trust(external link): is a charity dedicated to helping young people through tough times that provides free counselling services.
The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand(external link): provides a nationwide directory of GPs, mental health counsellors and services, and information for anyone in need of mental health support.

Support for sexual violence

Sexual violence is when someone touches you in a way you don’t like or makes you feel scared.

Safe to Talk

Safe to Talk(external link) offers free support from people who understand. They can also connect you to support services in your community.

Here’s how you can reach them:

freephone: 0800 044 334
text: 4334

Kids going to court

We have a web page especially for children and young people who have experienced sexual violence, to help you understand what might happen if you go to court.

You can find it at:

Kids | Young People Victims Information(external link)