ADULTS
Safety programmes
For anyone who has faced family harm, we help you make a safety plan so you are prepared for any situation. Learn other skills for relationships with partners, ex-partners, children, parents, carers, and others. Gain awareness on how to make decision that keep everyone safe.
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Our safety programme’s primary objective is promoting the protection of the unsafe person from family harm. The Programme has two main components:
A one-on-one assessment with a RISE clinician that includes actions to increase the client’s immediate safety and to prepare the client to enter the group programme.
A weekly group featuring education, information and support sessions to help protect people from family harm.
This programme is run during term time and there are two programmes each year. It is delivered in weekly sessions that are 2.5 hours long.
If the client and the clinician determine that one-on-one sessions are more appropriate than the group programme for that client, an individual programme can be set up to mirror the four module programme of the group.
Read stories about safety that involve our clients and clinicians.
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Non-violence programmes
For anyone who has put or is putting their partners and/or their families at risk of harm. Explore the dynamics of family harm and how your behaviour affects others. Learn how to express and manage your feelings and how to problem solve in tough interactions. Develop communications skills for relationships with partners, ex-partners and children. Have healthier relationships and better interactions with whānau and the wider community.
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The primary aim of RISE’s non-violence programmes is to stop family violence and prevent future family violence. RISE offers non-violence programmes in both group and individual formats. Both formats are designed to meet legislative requirements in the Family Violence Act 2018 as well as international best practice for specialists in the area of family violence.
Programme aims
To increase the understanding of the nature and effects of family violence, including the intergenerational cycle of violence.
To examine and monitor current behaviour and the beliefs supporting these behaviours.
To develop skills to make relevant changes and developing skills to support behaviours based on equality and respect.
To understand how Protection Orders work and the responsibilities and consequences for a respondent.
To provide information regarding the different types of violence and the effects on children
To provide information regarding availability, content, benefits and access to programmes and other services for children.
To remove the veil of secrecy surrounding abuse.
To see abuse in its social, political and historical contexts.
Group format
The group format includes an initial assessment, a group orientation session scheduled once per month to identify expectations, and a one-on-one exit session. Additional one-on-one sessions can be scheduled if required or requested.
Members of the group format are male, female, or non-binary. This is important to enable role modelling of healthy relationships and communication between all people. It ensures gender realities are represented in group work. It also acknowledges the voice of those who have been victimised.
The group format takes place over 16 sessions. There are four modules and each module takes four weeks. The module topics are:
Self-awareness and beliefs
Self-management
Te whare tapa whā
Relationship skills
Attendees can enter a non-violence group programme at the start of a module
One-on-one format
The length of the one-on-one format is determined at the initial assessment. During the assessment the client will also be matched to a male or female programme facilitator who will undertake the sessions. Typical programmes last 10 sessions but can be up to 25 sessions for high complex needs. This format covers the same module topics as in the group format but in a setting that is personalised based on the clients needs. The facilitator’s emphasis is on developing a relationship that encourages openness and trust.
Stories
Read stories about our non-violence programme.
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I was angry all the time
Former RISE client Bill shared his experience in the Non-violence programme, and it’s worth a read.
“My wife said if I didn’t sort my crap, it was over. She had said this before, but I brushed it off. But my kids and my wife gave me an ultimatum this time, and so I decided that I needed to do something.”
Dads Programme
Be a confident, connected Dad! In our Dads Programme, learn skills, tools, and insights to be a confident, connected, and compassionate parent. Dads and anyone who is in a father-role with children can sign up for this free 10-week course.
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Resilient dads are also resilient members of whānau. Having solid parenting skills will increase harmony in the family, improve connection at home, and offer a happier, safe, loving environment that can last a lifetime.
Ask questions from experts. Hear from fellow dads. Develop a network of connections to draw on when you need help. This is the only course of its kind in Nelson for dads that takes the long view on parenting and being a loving, committed family member.
Who should take part
Any man in a parenting role is welcome, whether you’re a dad to a newborn, toddler, or youth. It takes all whānau and relationship types, including blended and separated families, and biological or non-biological dads.
Dads can be:
birth fathers
stepfathers
foster fathers
non-biological fathers
uncles or grandfathers
carers
men working to gain access to their children
About the sessions
Over 10 weeks, the group meets on Tuesday evenings for two hours. Sessions include a variety of presentations, discussion, videos, and Q&A.
Weekly topics can include:
Fatherhood - the challenges and joys
Parenting styles
Lifestyle balance with kids
Emotions and mental wellbeing for dads
Relationship with mum and whānau
The role of play and discipline
Safety and security
Stress
Brain development
And much more!
If you would like to view or print our Dads Programme brochure (PDF), click here.
Catch up with stories about the Dads Programme on our blog.
Read a collection of stories about Dads who have found help at RISE.
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Counselling
General counselling is available to support your work in a RISE programme, explore your experiences in a safe environment, and develop strategies to reach your goals.
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RISE offers a counselling service to people who have been affected by violence and/or abuse (in all its forms) either currently or historically. It is an opportunity for individuals to talk about aspects of their lives, including any experiences of childhood violence and abuse, that continue to affect their sense of wellbeing and safety and their ability to form healthy relationships.
Programme aims
To provide the opportunity for clients to explore either current or historical violence/abuse issues they have experienced.
To assist people to feel safe and settled.
Where appropriate to provide psychoeducation.
To encourage communication skills that promote safety, foster confidence and self-awareness.
To ready a client to participate in an individual or group programme, if appropriate.
Format
Clients undergo an initial assessment and then meet with a clinician for up to 10 one-hour appointments. More sessions are available based on client need.
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Kaikōura Men’s Group
RISE supports a free ongoing support group for men in Kaikōura that gives you skills to cope with life’s stresses. It is a safe space for men amongst a welcoming, caring group to whom you can talk about what is happening in your life.
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Kaikōura has coped with more than its fair share of difficult times over the last decade. In the midst of major community events, a group of men started to meet for support.
The group has become a community resource for men who want to check in with others, seek advice for themselves, share healthy tips and reduce their stress. Meetings also feature educational films, guest speakers, and other useful activities directed by the members.
Anyone who felt and continues to feel affected by these major disruptions to life, work, and life in our rural town can join us.
The group meets weekly on Tuesday evenings. If you are interested in more information, view our programme brochure, read this story about how the group started, and get in touch with RISE’s Rob Roche who facilitates the group.
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Relationship Safety Service
Develop safety in a relationship/whānau with new tools, structures and awareness. Focus on agreed ways of behaving and communicating going forward. To take part in this service, both parties must have each recently been engaged with RISE.
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The main purpose of RISE’s relationship safety programme is to establish safety within a relationship, either between partners or as heads of a family. It is a structured programme that provides tools and awareness to create and enhance safety. Participants learn together and emerge with agreed ways of behaving and communicating with each other.
The Relationship Safety Service is for people who have each recently completed a programme at RISE. If the programme interests you, talk to your current clinician.
This programme is for current or former couples in a relationship, with or without children. Couples that are still together or want to get back together can learn to be safe in the relationship. For those couples with children, learn how to live safely as a family whether you remain together or are separated and maintaining a parenting relationship with one another.
It is important to note that the Relationship Safety Service is not couples counselling, relationship mediation, or to settle child custody issues. The emphasis is on relationship safety.
Process
Once admitted to the Relationship Safety Service, each participant will do at least one (but possibly more) separate individual sessions to prepare for joint sessions that follow. The joint sessions will be with a new clinician.
Joint sessions are 1.5 hours long and are separated into three modules. After each module, the participants take a break of between one week and one month as agreed with the clinician. The three areas of focus are:
Conflict management skills
Physical and emotional awareness
Communication and connection skills
Other topics that are typically covered include
Cycles of violence
Lifestyle balance
Time-outs
Distress tolerance
Early warning signs
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One Dreadful Night
If you are communicating with your partner in an abusive way, that is family violence and it could lead to physical violence. In fact, most people who seek help at RISE are looking to improve poor communications in their
relationship before things get out of hand.
Read about one couple under a lot of pressure that built up until one dreadful night.
Trauma service
If you have trauma from family harm experienced at any stage in your life, we offer long-term therapeutic support for your journey through relationships and life.
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RISE clients who have disclosed trauma symptoms as a result of family violence and/or abuse have an opportunity through this service to explore aspects of their lives, both past and present that continue to affect their wellbeing. RISE’s trauma service is potentially long-term therapeutic support.
Individuals who are significantly traumatised and who may not be able to participate in a group forum can talk to their clinician about this specialised treatment.
Programme aims
To provide the opportunity for clients to explore either current or historical violence/abuse issues they have experienced.
To assist people to feel safe and settled.
To increase capacity for emotional regulation.
To develop a more integrated sense of self
Format
Weekly individual one-on-one sessions allow participants to focus on historical and/or current issues and themes that affect their sense of wellbeing, their safety, or their ability to form healthy relationships. RISE offers 10 sessions and, depending on progress, a further 10 sessions can be offered. If after 20 sessions the clinician determines more sessions are desired then there may be an opportunity for another five sessions.
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