Make the change, be the change.

What we do

Provide ‘Skills of Respectful Relationships’ programmes for Men, Women and Youth
1-1 or group programmes as required in Thames, Paeroa, Waihi, Whitianga, Tairua, Whangamata, Te Aroha.

Women's Support Group
Available in Thames, Waihi or Paeroa.

Men's Support Group
Available in Thames.

Counselling
General counselling as required by client base, 1-1 with men, women, youths.
Couples and family counselling as required.

How can Family Safety Services help you make a difference?

Our ‘Respectful Relationships’ programmes make a difference by providing:

a safe place to explore personal history and any issues leading to violent behaviours
a challenging environment to move beyond denial, excuses and justifications
a learning environment to understand the impact of violence on self and others, and the skills and behaviours to relate with others in an assertive and respectful way.

Our Couples and Family Counselling work make a difference providing a safe and structured environment so that participants can identify their goals, learn new skills to achieve their goals, and have support while they make the necessary changes and put them into effect.

By participating in community initiatives to raise awareness about strategies for preventing and reducing violence and abuse.

By supporting those who have been harmed by acts of violence and abuse to restore their own and their family’s well-being.

Our programmes demonstrate the skills and behaviours that lead to safe and respectful families, provide effective responses to family violence episodes through 1-1 counselling, group programmes for men, women and youth, and support for families and demonstrate the skills and behaviours of safe and respectful relationships.

‘Practicing Respectful Relationships’
Learning to Live Without Violence

PROGRAMME OUTLINE:

Challenge 1: Getting to Safety
Goal: to be able to relate with others without the use of verbal or physical violence, intimidation or manipulation.
This Challenge covers the following -
a) Understanding Anger: identify what ‘presses your buttons’, raises your temperature, and results in you behaving in ways that hurt others and create more problems.
b) Interrupting 'build-up to blow': recognise when you’ve been triggered, become able to re-direct thoughts and feelings, adopt the safety practice of ‘Time out’.
c) De-escalating tension: regain 100% control of your thoughts, words and actions; reflect upon conflict in such a way that you can choose a constructive response.
d) Reflecting on the Consequences of ‘fearful force’ and Deciding to Change Course: taking time to identify behaviours that hurt Self or Others emotionally, psychologically and physically, and the effects of that hurt. Consider the consequences of adopting different strategies in relating and parenting.

Challenge 2: The Power of Choice
Goal: To achieve 100% power over, and responsibility for, thoughts, feelings and actions. To increase ‘EQ’, emotional intelligence, and awareness of basic needs.
This Challenge explores how raising awareness of feelings, needs and attitudes affects decisions and behaviour. Themes include: "What is my Intention?" "What do I pay attention to?' "How do my attitudes affect how I see things?" The difference between Judgment and Observation; becoming aware of how we have many choices; giving up self-violence and self-demands.

Challenge 3: Unleashing our 'Awesome Self'
Goal: To take up the challenge of being our own best friend, and developing our full potential.
This Challenge focuses on building Self-respect, the importance of Self-care, giving time to Creativity, having the courage to be Authentic, and growing our capacity express our caring about others in a healthy way.

Challenge 4: Respectful Relationships
Goal: To develop the skills to create and maintain healthy relationships with others.
This Challenge introduces the practices of ‘win-win’ relationships: how to value the basic needs of Self and Others, how to say ‘No’ and take ‘No’ for an answer, and how to resolve conflict.

We begin by ‘Being the Change’ by being positive role models, stepping up to bear witness, understanding ourselves & challenging abusive behaviour.

If you would like to help us you may wish to visit our 'givealittle' page ..