Media Release – 28 June 2026
It Takes Seven: New Challenge to Support Women and Children Experiencing Family Violence
A new fundraising and awareness campaign launching this July is challenging New Zealanders to take on their own “7” while to help support women and children experiencing family violence.
The campaign, It Takes Seven, is built around a sobering reality: on average, it can take up to seven attempts for someone to leave an abuser. But Women’s Refuge say this number only tells part of the story.
“Seven attempts is not a statistic about failure. It reflects the complex, courageous and often dangerous journey many women face when trying to escape violence,” says Naomi Ogg, CEO, Women’s Refuge.
For many women, leaving an abuser is not a single decision but a process that can take months or even years. Safety risks often escalate when a woman tries to leave. Financial control can make independence difficult, while children, whānau responsibilities, emotional ties, manipulation and isolation can create additional barriers.
Recent research conducted by Women’s Refuge highlights the reality many women face when trying to leave an abuser.
The research, part of the Safer When, Safer How, is based on risk information from 5000 clients identified that:
- 80 % said their abuser stopped them from spending time with whānau, family and friends.
- 65 % had their belongings deliberately damaged or destroyed.
- 48 % were prevented from having access to their own money.
- 47 % were threatened with harm to someone they care about.
- 48 % were threatened that false information would be spread about them or that private information would be shared.
It Takes Seven aims to build understanding of these challenges while raising funds for vital support services.
Throughout July, participants are encouraged to choose their own “7” challenge, including:
- 7 kilometres a day
- 7 kilometres a week
- Or creating a personalised challenge based around the number seven
Participants can sign up, share their challenge with friends and whānau, and raise funds to support women affected by family violence.
Women’s Refuge hope the campaign will encourage more conversations about family violence and help communities better understand the realities women face when trying to leave an abusers.
“We all know someone who has been affected by family violence – a mother, daughter, grandmother, aunty, friend or colleague. By taking part in It Takes Seven, New Zealanders can help create safer futures for women and their whānau.”
For more information or to register, visit it-takes-seven.co.nz.
Editors Notes:
Safer When, Safer How?:
Safer When, Safer How the aims to examine family violence risk and what really works to make women safer. This work is generously funded by Contact Energy. More info here.
New Zealand’s family violence statistics:
- On average, just under 50,000 women and children are referred to Women’s Refuge each year.
- On average Women’s Refuge answers 71 crisis calls per day.
- New Zealand has the highest rates of family violence in the OECD.
- 1 in 3 women will experience abuse in their lifetime in Aotearoa.
- Nearly half of all homicides and reported violent crimes are related to family violence.
- Around 67% of family violence episodes go unreported.
Media Enquiries: Susan Barker Communications, Marketing and Fundraising Manager Susan@refuge.org.nz 027 403 5155
