Our groundbreaking Gandhi Nivas programme provides early intervention and prevention services for New Zealand men identified at risk of committing harm in the family home. Our innovative approach supports men to change their behaviour, reducing the likelihood of further family harm and increasing safety for their families.
Gandhi Nivas – our name symbolising a home of peace – has now helped more than 2,500 families in Tāmaki Makaurau.
A key aspect of family violence intervention is engaging offenders in their own rehabilitation. Gandhi Nivas helps men take a positive role in stopping violence against women.
To reduce offending, we work to educate each offender about the consequences of their action, challenging them to accept responsibility and helping them to seek support in changing their behaviour.
Men referred to Gandhi Nivas have been issued a Police Safety Order* following an act of family harm. Families do not have to leave their homes because men are offered free counselling and emergency housing within 24 hours of referral. Some men who are concerned about their own actions also self-refer to Gandhi Nivas.
As well as providing men with a safe environment where they can do no harm, we offer them free counselling and support with referrals to social services. As awareness of our service has grown, we also have some men who use violence referring themselves to Gandhi Nivas, recognising that they need help. Our team includes counsellors, social workers, alcohol and drug practitioners and support workers.
We provide emergency housing in Ōtāhuhu, Te Atatū and Papakura in Tāmaki Makaurau. Crucially, our doors are always open and the houses are staffed 24/7 by professional counsellors.
While in residence, men receive the support they need to change their behaviour. This includes free counselling and referral to other services, depending on their needs, including WINZ, doctors and budgeting services.
Men’s families are also offered counselling and support to keep them safe and empowered through the process of behavioural change.
All Gandhi Nivas houses have a 24/7 in-house coordinator, temporary accommodation, access to counselling services and free parking.
The Massey University research team assessed the efficacy of the Gandhi Nivas programme for men who use violence who are referred to the service with a Police Safety Order. Researchers focused on the Ōtāhuhu home for a five-year period (January 1 2015 – December 31 2019). The results of the study, which were presented at Parliament in July 2020, found that by working directly with perpetrators of family violence, Gandhi Nivas was able to prevent almost 60% of the men who have taken part in the programme from reoffending. Gandhi Nivas 2014-2019: A statistical description of client demographics and involvement in Police-recorded family violence occurrences. Massey University
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