Since 2005, the Tauranga Women's Refuge has been working with local police to respond to and assess any family harm incidents reported to police and ensure they were referred to the appropriate agency.
Acting refuge manager Hazel Hape said the refuge had seen increases in family violence, reflected in statistics.
She said on average, between 20 and 30 family violence cases were reported to the police and referred to the refuge every day.
"It's huge," she said.
"There are people in Tauranga right now who are scared for their lives."
Hape said the reason for the increase was far from straightforward but people were more comfortable reporting family violence incidents.
"More people are speaking out and giving violence a voice."
Hape said more family and whanau were calling on behalf of people they knew, which was part of a community responsibility.
"If you see someone being beaten up, you should in the first instance call the police."
The police were the first port of call and could then refer cases on to other community services.
"Violence against women, children and family is not acceptable," Hape said.
Minister of Justice Andrew Little said family and domestic violence is one of the fastest increasing areas of crime and is a priority for the Government.
The priority was to provide safety for victims that were mainly women and children and to put the perpetrators through the criminal justice system, he said.
''But an important way of reducing incidences of family and domestic violence is to help them change their behaviours and their ways. Many perpetrators, certainly men, have got their own traumas that they have never dealt with and their own issues that they have never come to terms with.''
Meanwhile, dairy giant Fonterra has recently taken a stand on family violence.
It has joined Shine and Women's Refuge and launched a programme to raise awareness about family violence and provide support services for employees who may need help.
People and culture managing director Joanne Fair said businesses had a huge role to play in tackling what is one of New Zealand's biggest social issues.
"We want to play our part in getting our people the help they need, as the workplace is often a safe place from violence at home. This initiative is about making family violence okay to talk about within our organisation and ensuring our people know help is readily available if needed.''
Police family harm response
* 'Eyes wide open' approach for our staff when they are investigating a call for service involving a family in our community.
* Taking greater responsibility for the safety of victims and children who are at risk, recognising family harm is episodic and looking out for signs of wider factors which may be negatively compounding on the family, for example financial pressure, limited education and alcohol and drug use.
* Ensuring we offer the right multi-agency support to the wider family at need.
- NZ Police
If you're in danger NOW:
• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you • Run outside and head for where there are other people • Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you • Take the children with you • Don't stop to get anything else • If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay.
Where to go for help or more information:
• Women's Refuge: Free national crisisline operates 24/7 - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz • Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz • It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz • Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. Crisisline 24/7 0800 742 584 • Ministry of Justice: www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence • National Network of Stopping Violence: www.nnsvs.org.nz • White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent. www.whiteribbon.org.nz
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