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Family Action specialises in providing free and confidential support in West Auckland for survivors of sexual harm and their family/whanau.
Our crisis team is here to help you manage after assault whether it happened recently or in the past.
We offer counselling, information, support with police interventions and further referral options.
Our Services
Woman’s Refuge
24/7 Crisis Sexual Violence
Support Service
Family Action has provided trauma support, counselling, youth programmes and women’s refuge for the victims of family and sexual violence in the West Auckland community for 30 years.
We have recently added a crisis sexual violence support service which became 24/7, 7 days per week on the 1st July 2018. This addition has improved the access to services for people in the West. Working with the other two providers in Auckland, Help and Counselling Services in South Auckland the agency has signed a MOU to develop a plan to provide consistent and seamless services across Auckland. People deserve the best possible service close to where they need and want it.
This service supports recent victims of sexual violence at that initial crisis point. Our agency has an experienced and qualified staff made up of Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Social Workers and Psychologists based at our Henderson office and we are an ACC supplier for Sensitive Claims for the ongoing support that is often needed.
In an emergency or if the Sexual violence has just occurred, always dial 111 first.
In business hours the service can be contacted on 09 836 1987 or via email to office@familyaction.org.nz and via the website www.familyaction.org.nz.
Out of hours via the National Helpline, Safe to Talk 0800 044 334 www.safetotalk.nz, or via the police or hospital.
Our Crisis Services
24/7 Crisis Sexual Violence Support Service
Police reporting support
Medical consultation support
Counselling support
Contact our service
Recent or Suspected Sexual Assault
Past Sexual Assault / Abuse
Common Feelings
Coping strategies
Resources
Police Reporting Support
Medical Consultation Support
Your health and wellbeing is important.
If you report a recent sexual assault to police, they may offer you a forensic medical examination with specialist medical providers. We are able to give you information about this, your options and rights and can be alongside you during this process. A forensic medical needs to occur as soon as possible after a sexual assault (especially if you are considering reporting to the police) and we are happy to talk the options through with you.
If the sexual assault/abuse occurred in the past, a therapeutic medical service is available for you. This medical is with specially trained medical staff and focuses solely on your health and wellbeing. It will go at your pace and you will be in control of what does or does not happen. Again we are available to talk through the process, make referrals and support you at this medical if you wish.
Counselling Support
Family action offers up to three immediate crisis counselling sessions. These are available to you and family/whanau members in order to help you manage through this often difficult time in order to help minimise longer term affects.
Our crisis counselling interventions (by phone or face to face) focus on reducing the stress you and your family may be experiencing from the sexual assault.
Longer term counselling options will be discussed with you and are available through Family Action.
Contact Our Service
Phone 0800 326 327 and ask reception to put you through to the sexual crisis team. If we are not immediately available reception will arrange support for you from another qualified counsellor within the team at Family Action.
If you have reported the assault/incident to police they will automatically contact us on your behalf.
Recent or Suspected Sexual Assault
Past Sexual Assault/Abuse
Past sexual assault or abuse feelings and memories can be triggered by all sorts of life events and our crisis team is available to provide emotional support, information and coping strategies to help you in the here and now.
Family Action has an experienced team of ACC registered counsellors and therapists available for longer term therapeutic support if you would like.
Common Feelings
Everyone responds and reacts in their own ways following sexual assault/abuse. At times you may feel like you are going “crazy”. These reactions are normal responses to an overwhelming and sometimes frightening situation. Seeking the right support as soon as possible is important as you and your family/whanau work through what has happened.
Below is a list of some common reactions following sexual assault/abuse:
Feeling numb and unable to cry
Crying a lot
Disbelief or shock
Feeling “dirty”
Intense shame or embarrassment
Blaming yourself for all or part of what happened
Mood swings and changes
Feeling not good enough
Extreme anger and/or aggression
Feeling vulnerable an scared
Feeling jumpy and anxious
Changes in appetite (Eating more or less)
Flashbacks
Sleep disturbances (sleeping more or can’t sleep)
Nightmares
Trouble concentrating
Feeling like you can’t trust anyone
Wanting more hugs or hating being touched
Hating the person that did this to you
Suicidal thought
Self-injury/harm to cope
Alcohol or drug increase in order to cope
Sexual issues
There are many different feelings you may have including ones that are not listed here. These feelings are normal and it is okay to feel this way. There is no right or wrong way to feel, however the intensity of these feelings will lessen, especially as you receive support and gain understanding.
Coping Strategies
Everyone manages the best they can following sexual assault/abuse. Below are some ideas for promoting self-care.
Accept support from those you trust
Cry if you need to
Share upset with those you trust
Exercise if it feels good
Relaxation activities you like
Notice nature
Meditate/mindfulness/prayer/breathing exercises (if appropriate)
Write your thoughts down (be sure it’s private)
Try different things to help improve sleeping and flashbacks (not everything will work all of the time)
Create a routine
Love yourself (or work on it)
Work with negative thoughts
Do something special
Personal counselling
Listen to / play music you like
Personal counselling
There are many coping strategies found to be useful in working with the emotional and psychological stress from sexual assault trauma and we can support you in discovering ones that work best for you. You are not to blame for what has happened to you. You have a right to recover and go on to enjoy life and feel safe again.
