A knock on her door brought Rebecca Poulson horrific news that changed her forever.

JS050117NADWAI313.JPG: Reti Boynton of Kaitaia leads the anti-P hikoi to Waitangi after a five-day walk from Cape Reinga. PHOTO /

Keeping young people from a life of crime involves education and housing as well as police, Bill English tells Auckland crowd.

Nearly 20 per cent of Russians say it is "acceptable" to hit one's partner.

Yasir Mohib hit his wife with a hammer after she complained he wasn't holding her hand. At first he was allowed to walk free, but has now been sentenced to jail time.

Oriwa Kemp, one of the women jailed over the brutal child abuse death of toddler Nia Glassie, has been convicted of assaulting her partner.

More than 80 Kiwi kids were abducted or kidnapped in the first nine months of 2016.

A woman sexually abused by her stepfather has waived her right to permanent name suppression in the hope that sharing her story will help others.

Galina Velas was sexually abused by her stepfather as a young teenager. Last year the 33-year-old summoned up the courage to have him prosecuted, and confronted him in court to tell him she was not his victim, she was a survivor and she was taking her life back. She spoke to the Herald about the impact the offending had on her life, and her future.

COMMENT: Bill English will overhaul his Cabinet this weekend. Here's hoping he appoints a new Minister for Women's Affairs

COMMENT: The damaging and pervasive effects of family violence extends well beyond the home.

Ex-wife of a former top sportsman speaks of her abusive marriage in a bid to highligh family violence can and does happen in all kinds of Kiwi homes.

When Bailee Wilson-Yates was a child, her mother yanked her out of bed in the night, and they escaped their violent home.

A woman who grew up in a violent home and often watched her mother almost killed by her abusive father speaks out about how awful Christmas used to be.

Better Than This: Bailee

Aarti Prasad works for Shine answering calls from victims of family harm or those concerned about it. She said some of the stories are heartbreaking.

Family violence doesn't take a break for the holidays - refuges and crisisline staff are already dealing with a spike in calls for help.

What drives family violence over Christmas, and how will new police initiatives curb the dire harm rates in New Zealand?

Alexander Masame was a violent and abusive husband and father. This Christmas he shares his story in a bid to shine a light on New Zealand's dark epidemic.

Former perpetrator of family violence Alexander Masame speaks about his life and losing his family because of his fists and bullying. And, what made him change his violent ways.

One of the keys to curing New Zealand's family violence epidemic is everyone playing their part. Here's how one woman's quick thinking saved her neighbour from another violent assault.

In May the Herald launched a campaign focusing on family violence in NZ. We are revisiting the issue with a spotlight on family harm over holiday period.

A survivor of domestic violence speaks out about her horrendous 15-year marriage and how the misery, fear and harm got worse every Christmas.

A woman who left her violent and abusive partner earlier this year after reading the Herald's series We're Better Than This, speaks about starting over and her first Christmas free from fear.

Kate escaped a violent marriage after 15 years of harm, hurt and abuse. She speaks out about her horrible life, and her first Christmas without fear after she fled her home to a safe house. Producer: Anna Leask Video: Alan Gibson

Critics have slammed the Ministry of Social Development for rejecting a clause to establish special family violence leave saying they were "disappointed" and "saddened" by the decision.

According to Tamaki, Harry Potter is a tool to recruit people toward evil.

A woman has been shot during a domestic dispute in Hamilton this morning.

A man who put a 3-year-old into a scalding bath, causing the boy's skin to "flake off", has been jailed for nearly four years.

Counselling service that receives around 18,000 calls a month, to merge with Presbyterian Support Northern.