Anum spent eight years married to a man who severely abused her physically, emotionally and psychologically. She courageously shares how her ex-husband used violence, control and fear to keep her silent and turn her into a shadow of her former self. Anum also speaks powerfully about how connecting with a community gave her the courage to take the slow steps out of her volatile marriage.

** Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of physical and emotional abuse and references to suicide and infant loss.

If you would like support, visit areyouok.org.nz or call the 24/7 Are You OK helpline on 0800 456 450 to speak anonymously to a safe person.

To contact women’s refuge, go to womensrefuge.org.nz or call 0800 733 843.

For free legal help, contact Community Law at communitylaw.org.nz.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Nadia got married, she didn’t expect her husband to one day cheat on her, skip the country and leave her with over a million dollars’ worth of debt.  Debt collectors were threatening to take her house and everything she owned, whilst she was struggling to provide her kids with the basics. Nadia shares openly about what it’s like to bear the heavy burden of someone else’s financial mistakes.

We also talk to Beryl who manages the family violence economic harm service at Good Shepherd New Zealand. Good Shepherd work closely with people experiencing economic abuse, helping them rebuild their lives both financially and emotionally.

** Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of controlling behaviour, economic abuse and mention of an eating disorder.

To contact Good Shepherd NZ, visit goodshepherd.org.nz.

If you would like support, visit areyouok.org.nz or call the 24/7 Are You OK helpline on 0800 456 450 to speak anonymously to a safe person.

To contact women’s refuge, go to womensrefuge.org.nz or call 0800 733 843.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Originally from Iran, Samira works tirelessly in violence prevention within ethnic communities in Aotearoa. She gives an eye-opening account of the unique challenges faced by victims of family violence who have moved to New Zealand from other countries. She is passionate about breaking down the barriers that prevent members of our migrant and refugee communities from accessing helpful support.

If you would like support, visit areyouok.org.nz or call the 24/7 Are You OK helpline on 0800 456 450 to speak anonymously to a safe person.

To contact women’s refuge, go to womensrefuge.org.nz or call 0800 733 843.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandra and Kahukura have both endured violence in intimate relationships. Sandra, a bisexual woman, was the victim of physical, psychological and emotional abuse at the hands of a female partner. Kahukura is takatāpui non-binary trans and suffered severe abuse from two partners. They both talk candidly about the emotional scars left by the abuse and the steps they took to rebuild their lives. They also explore the unique ways family violence shows up in rainbow communities.

Sandra has since founded an organisation called Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura, dedicated to building violence-free Takatāpui and Rainbow communities in Aotearoa.

** Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of or discussion about sexual abuse, attempted homicide, physical abuse, suicide and some strong language.

To connect with Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura, visit https://kahukura.co.nz/.

If you would like support, visit areyouok.org.nz or call the 24/7 Are You OK helpline on 0800 456 450 to speak anonymously to a safe person.

To contact women’s refuge, go to womensrefuge.org.nz or call 0800 733 843.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a child, Serena witnessed her father’s violence toward her mother and brothers. She speaks openly about the impact this had on her and the family unit. She also talks about her path to healing and even her journey of forgiveness.

** Content Warning: This episode is a discussion of physical violence witnessed as a child.

If you would like support, visit areyouok.org.nz or call the 24/7 Are You OK helpline on 0800 456 450 to speak anonymously to a safe person.

To contact women’s refuge, go to womensrefuge.org.nz or call 0800 733 843.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.