This website covers issues under the auspices of Homeworks Trust: domestic violence,
mental illness, substance abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, women's homelessness, hidden homelessness
Welcome to the Homeworks Trust website.
We are a group of women who advocate for specialised services and housing for women who are
marginalised, hidden and excluded from existing service provision in New Zealand.
Why are we doing what we’re doing?
There are very few services and housing strategies that are gender specific. If a service is not gender specific the
needs of women – for safety, for security, for healing from abuse and for environments that develop constructive
bonding with children and enable good parenting - are often overlooked. Situations that are mixed gender are
frequently developed around the needs of men.
On this site you will find:
· research, a thesis and papers about this subject
· links to further information
· case studies
· CYF approved policy for a specialised refuge for women with mental health/substance abuse problems
· A strategy plan for a specialised refuge
· a powerpoint presentation to teach others about this issue
· papers and presentations about the hidden homelessness of women
· a powerpoint presentation that you can use to teach others about this issue
· a strategy plan for a woman only supported rooming house
Update – What is Homeworks Trust doing?
We have released a doco-drama about domestic violence and mental illness called “He Drove me Mad”.
This teaching resource is aimed at all service providers who work with women.
Download the order form here
Website up, running and ready for you to use: www.hedrovememad.com
A powerpoint presentation for World Safety Conference, London 2010 in pdf format 
A submission to the Ministry of Justice reviewing aspects of the bail system
and one to the Social Services Committee on the Crime Amendments Bill
An online support group has been launched for women who have mental health or drug and alcohol problems as a result of domestic violence.
The website provides a safe place for people to share experiences, discuss issues of concern, ask and answer questions, provide information about what has helped and what hasn’t, advertise local and national events and share information.
There are a number of websites about domestic violence, however this is the first one specifically for people who feel that domestic violence has driven them mad.
It is a secure site where pseudonyms are used and it provides information about how to safely use the site so that abusers can’t trace usage.
Because there are no services for people who have mental health/substance abuse problems as a result of domestic violence it can be a very lonely, isolated situation to be in. This website provides contact with people who not only understand, but who have been in similar situations and will provide the support that is usually found in a face to face support group situation.
Over the past year we have:
· talked to everyone we can about these issues!
· presented at conferences and seminars
· carried out research about the numbers of women unable to use women’s refuge services because of mental illness and domestic violence – see the 39 Refuge study
Contact us:
Debbie Hager – Chair person, Homeworks Trust
Email– debbie.neil@clear.net.nz
Write to us at PO Box 20710, Glen Eden, Waitakere City, New Zealand |
