Retired psychologist Dr Alison Towns is an expert in family violence, a member of the Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children, and a dear friend of the Auckland Women’s Centre. Here, she talks about why she helped drive the successful campaign to make stalking illegal, with our Aotearoa Free From Stalking team. I ...
A new anti-stalking law In late November 2025, Parliament unanimously passed the law putting stalking and harassment in the Crimes Act. This means from May 2026, police will have more options to deal with people who behave in ways they know are likely to cause fear or distress. We’re pleased about the last-minute amendment that ...
Stalking response guide main menu here Stalking is when someone repeatedly intrudes on your life without your permission. It is about a pattern of behaviours – no matter who is doing it – that make you scared, upset, anxious or distressed. Some stalking behaviours may be crimes in and of themselves – threats to hurt ...
Call 111 if you are in immediate danger; ask for police and say it is urgent. All of these helplines are free to call and confidential. Some of these can help you find local services to support your needs, including culturally appropriate support, and help to connect you with these services. If you can, getting ...
Tues 10 June for immediate release from Aotearoa Free From Stalking Changes to the proposed anti-stalking law are welcome but they don’t go far enough say community victim advocates. Leonie Morris, Manager of the Aotearoa Free From Stalking (AFFS) project at the Auckland Women’s Centre, says it is unlikely the bill will cover stalkers who ...
Media release, 1 May 2025 Auckland Women’s Centre is the latest in a growing number of organisations expressing serious concerns regarding the draft Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Framework for schools. Leonie Morris, Project Lead for the Centre’s Aotearoa Free From Stalking campaign described the draft framework as “a significant failure in supporting the diverse ...
Update 14 May: You can read our submission on the RSE guidelines here. April 2025 The government is attempting to impose its extremist transphobic, racist, colonial and misogynistic views on the next generation via wholesale changes to education about relationships & sexuality. You can let them know what they’re doing is unacceptable. The sensitive and ...
Karawhiua – you can do it! Telling personal stories can make a difference. Part of the usual process of law-making – turning Bills into Acts of Parliament – is the public getting to have their say on the proposed new law. Anybody can write a submission to whichever select committee of MPs is reviewing the ...
Ma te kotahitanga e whai kaha ai tātou In unity we have strength The Auckland Women’s Centre “Aotearoa Free From Stalking” submission on the anti-stalking bill (aka the Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Legislation Bill) made 15 recommendations urging critical changes to ensure the bill meets its goals. Our submission is informed by the 90 ...
Let’s make the new anti-stalking law as good as possible Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui! We want a law to help survivors and whānau, and prevent stalking – this submission guide advises on how you can help. Submissions and Parliament’s informal anonymous survey are now open on the Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment ...
