Reporting domestic violence and child abuse

Are you experiencing domestic violence or child abuse? Or are you worried about someone else? If so, ask for help:

Call 112 in the event of immediate danger

Are you in danger now? Or is someone else in danger right now? If so, call 911 immediately. You can do this day or night. The operator will tell you what you can do until help arrives.

Reporting to Safe Home

If there is no immediate danger, contact Safe Home (this can be done anonymously):

• Call toll-free 0800 - 2000. You can do this day and night.
• Or chat with a staff member at safehome.com. This is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At Safe Home, there is someone who listens, asks questions and gives advice. Is more than advice needed? Then you can file a report. Safe Home will then investigate the situation.

Safe Home can arrange assistance, if needed. Or put the police or Child Protective Services Council to work.

You will always hear what happens to your report.

What is domestic violence and child abuse?

There are many types of abuse and domestic violence. For example:

• physical abuse, such as hitting and kicking
• psychological abuse, such as swearing, threatening and frightening
• sex with a child or young person under the age of 18 (sexual abuse)
• sex with someone who doesn't want it (sexual abuse)
• Forcing someone into prostitution (loverboys)
• not taking good care of someone (neglect)
• Constantly seeking contact with someone who does not want it (stalking)
• Stealing money or forcing someone else to pay something (financial abuse)

You can be abused by anyone. Abuse is called domestic violence if it happens by someone you know well. Such as:

• your partner
• your ex
• someone from the family
• someone from your family
• a close friend