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?

They leave their own families safe at home at step in to the most volatile and violent of Kiwi homes over holidays to help and protect vulnerable victims.

A new site allowing women to secretly access the Women's Refuge website without alerting offenders has been launched.

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.

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.

"It's Not Ok" spokesperson Vic Tamati talks to Hawke's Bay Regional Prison inmates about living a violence-free life. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

"I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent men's violence towards women." That is the pledge White Ribbon want all Kiwis to take tomorrow on their annual awareness day.

When Katrina Drummond finally decided to walk away from her controlling ex-husband it was the last decision she would make.

A mother was subject to domestic violence for 15 years before she sought support from the Women's Refuge and fled her abusive husband. "My

By now you will be aware that Hawke's Bay Today, in conjunction with Women's Refuge, is running a week-long series titled Seeking

In terms of domestic violence across the country the statistics are not good. The statistics which encompass crime and injury associated

New Zealand has a shameful domestic violence record with police attending hundreds of incidents every day. Hawke's Bay Today, in

Kiwi songstress Hollie Smith has penned a new single aimed at creating awareness around family violence, with all proceed going to this year's White Ribbon appeal. The song "Please" is released today.

A man convicted of beating his wife so severely that he perforated her eardrum has left New Zealand.

Crime is on the up in New Zealand, with latest figures showing an increase in burglaries, assaults, abductions and sex offences over the last year.

Immigration New Zealand are set to remove a man convicted of beating his wife so severely - as she held their baby daughter - that he temporarily deafened her.

Women's refuges, church agencies and other community groups will soon have to hand over their client details to the Government in

Australian children will be taught about "male privilege" and shown images of men cleaning dishes and women playing football in a drive to break gender stereotypes.

A district court judge discharged a man who beat his wife after she complained they weren't holding hands while watching a movie - but that decision has now been overturned.