An Ecosystem of Support

Whānau Resilience is a key part of an ecosystem of family violence support, both strategically and locally on the ground.

Strategic context

Whānau Resilience came about as part of MSD’s new Family Violence Funding Approach, and is being supported by additional funding of $15.4 million as part of Budget 2018.

The Whānau Resilience initiative and the Family Violence Funding Approach are both part of the work of the wider cross-government joint venture with The Centre for Family Violence and Sexual Violence (The Centre) to reduce family violence and sexual violence.

Te Aorerekura, the National Strategy and Action Plan, calls for collective action and systemic key shifts to improve support for whānau. It sets out a path for government, tangata whenua, specialist sectors, and communities to eliminate family violence and sexual violence. Whānau Resilience aligns to this pathway and aims to deliver on the key shifts set out in Te Aorerekura.

Whānau Resilience also reflects MSD’s strategic intent of Kotahitanga – partnering for greater impact – by drawing on the invaluable knowledge and experience of communities and providers in the design of services delivered in their communities. As more whānau heal and sustain violence free lives, they are better able to participate to their full economic, social and health potential.

Reducing family violence also aligns with the Government Target to reduce violent crime and the Child and Youth Strategy priority to prevent harm against children.

Building a family violence continuum of care

Whānau Resilience plays a vital role in the continuum of care for whānau impacted by family violence. We’re working hard with providers, communities and government agencies to create more integrated and seamless support for whānau.  

Short term family violence services (referred to as safety and stability services) can refer to Whānau Resilience as long term to support to maintain change, heal and recover, and build protective factors embedded within communities. Services for men, like Te Huringa ō Te Ao, can refer to Whānau Resilience for whānau centered support.

The diagram illustrates Whānau Resilience services are just one element in a wider response to family violence. The larger circle for Whānau Resilience Services states that it focuses on the longer-term impacts of exposure to violence, this includes healing from the trauma of violence and developing the skills to become resilient to the patterns of behaviour that lead to violence. There is a smaller circle inside the Whānau Resilience circle that states Safety and Stability Services focus on meeting immediate needs of people, families and whānau affected by violence.