Respect

Respect has been providing children’s programmes since 1998. We contract a team of experienced, qualified counsellors and facilitators to deliver our group and individual programmes. Our counsellors and facilitators are highly trained in the dynamics of domestic violence and are very experienced in group and individual work.

Children and Teenager’s programmes

Our Children and Teenager’s programmes help children or teenagers who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence. Often children who are in this situation feel very isolated and alone. Children may blame themselves for this violence. Our Children and Teenager’s Support and Education programmes help children to:

  • Recognise violent behaviour and how respond to this behaviour (to keep themselves safe)
  • Understand the effects of abuse and violence
  • Understand that they are not to blame for what adults have done
  • Deal with their own anger (if this is an issue for them)
  • Understand and name feelings
  • Take responsibility for their own actions
  • Build on their strengths and resilience

If a child or teenager has witnessed or experienced domestic violence, then our Children’s and Teenager’s Support and Education programme will be able to help them.

Our 20-week group programme for children and youth runs throughout the year. Children attend once a week, for 1 ½ hours. Programmes are for ages 5-8 years and 9-12 years, 13-17 with a maximum of 8 children per group.

We provide both individual and group programmes but find that groups are the most effective way of supporting and assisting children with understanding abuse and violence that may have occurred at home, at school or elsewhere. Being part of a group with other children helps children realise they are not alone and that others have had similar experiences.

Helping your child learn to cope

Your child will be taught effective, practical strategies and skills to manage difficult situations and abuse or anger. The group programme is interactive, creative methods such as art, music, stories, role plays and other activities are used to help your child remember and use these skills. Some of the topics included in the programme are safety, building self-confidence, feelings & understanding anger and problem solving.

Family work

We can also offer family work for children and families who have either begun or finished at least one group or individual programme with us. Prior to beginning family work, it is essential to assess whether all family members will feel safe with family counselling and whether this counselling will be useful. Our skilled counselling team can do this.

Safe and welcoming

We provide a friendly, relaxed environment where you will be warmly welcomed, and all information provided to us is kept confidential. You will find us at The Richardson Centre, Lake Road, Takapuna. Our premises include separate counselling rooms for individual sessions and a large room for children’s group programmes.

We emphasise the right of all people to live lives free from violence and abuse in all its forms. If you would like to arrange a free assessment interview to discuss how we can help your child, please contact us: (09 489 3770 ext 4).

Services

  • Free assessment interview
  • Individual programmes
  • Group programmes

Services

  • Free assessment interview
  • Individual programmes
  • Group programmes