Counselling Services Centre

11/04/2026

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

This week’s moemoea comes from Ann Kent, ARCS Manawatū.

“Eliminating sexual violence is understandably complex but an important part of the solution is to keep breaking down the silence and removing the shame. Let’s do that by constantly telling the world how brave, strong and resilient survivors are.“

Breaking silence and removing shame takes all of us.

06/04/2026

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

In Aotearoa, sexual harm is more common than many people realise. A lot of people never report what’s happened to them. Fear, stigma, and not being believed can all get in the way.

At Counselling Services Centre, we support people whether they choose to report or not.

You don't have to go through it alone. 💙

01/04/2026

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

We are sharing a series of moemoea from leaders across Aotearoa. Each one reflects a vision for a future free from sexual and gender-based violence.

This week, we begin with our CEO, Tayyaba Khan.

“I envision a future where sexual violence no longer exists because communities, systems, and cultures actively uphold consent, equality, and accountability. In this future, all people are safe in their bodies, survivors are centred and supported, and justice prioritises healing, prevention, and collective responsibility.”

This is the future we are working towards every day.

31/03/2026

Such a great day out at the Manurewa Community Network event.

Loved connecting with whānau and meeting others doing important mahi in the community.

Ngā mihi to everyone who stopped by for a kōrero, a resource, or even just a handful of jellybeans.

Moments like this remind us why staying visible and connected matters.

26/03/2026

We’re sharing some really valuable reflections from a recent Neurodiversity Celebration Week webinar, co-hosted by the Migrant Neuro-Inclusion Network-MINN and Acorn Neurodiversity.

It was a powerful kōrero, bringing together whānau, people with lived experience, and those working across the sector. A lot of honest discussion about what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change.

A few things really stood out:

- awareness is still uneven, and we need to move beyond labels to real understanding
- cultural perspectives matter, including how we understand neurodiversity in our own communities
- families are often left trying to navigate complex systems on their own
- the words we use shape people’s experiences
- real change needs to happen at a system level, not just with individuals

These are the kinds of conversations that help shift thinking and, over time, lead to better support for our communities.

26/03/2026

We will be out in the community this weekend at TU MAI MANUREWA and we would love to see you there.

Join us on Saturday 28 March at Netball Manurewa, 95 Browns Road, for a free, fun day celebrating our community.

There will be something for everyone:
- Over 30 stalls
- Live music from The Four Fathers
- Zumba with Coach J and AZC crew
- Free haircuts
- Activities for tamariki including face painting and balloon twisting
- Food stalls and fundraising for local causes

Come down, have a kōrero with our team, and connect with the amazing services and groups supporting our community.

Starts at 10am.

19/03/2026

Save the date

TOAH-NNEST National Sexual Violence Conference 2026

📅 31 Aug – 1 Sept
📍 Tākina Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wellington

17/03/2026

A few spaces are still available for our upcoming Peace Circle in South Auckland.

This is a chance for women to come together in a safe, supportive space and learn practical tools for navigating conflict, building resilience, and creating positive change in our whānau and communities.

Registrations close 20 March.
Spaces are limited to 10 women.

If this sounds like something you need right now, scan the QR code on the flyer to register.

Please share with women who might benefit from being part of this circle.

11/03/2026

Content warning: sexual abuse.

This powerful investigation by Paula Penfold shares the story of a woman who returned to New Zealand more than a decade after being abused as a 16-year-old exchange student, and reported what happened to police.

For many survivors, it can take years to recognise abuse and feel ready to speak about it. Stories like this highlight the complex and often long journey toward accountability and healing.

We acknowledge the courage it takes for survivors to come forward and share their experiences.

A return trip to New Zealand for a woman who’d previously travelled here as an exchange student led to a police investigation and a guilty plea.

10/03/2026

Women in our community are invited to take part in a Peace Circle coming to South Auckland this month.

We are excited to host this event at CSC in partnership with Initiatives of Change NZ.

Peace Circles are safe spaces for women to come together, connect, and learn practical tools for navigating conflict with confidence and compassion. The programme focuses on building inner strength, emotional resilience, and the skills to create positive change in our whānau and communities.

Participation is free, but spaces are limited to 10 women to keep the circle supportive and personal.

If this sounds like something you need right now, scan the QR code on the flyer to register.

Please share with the women in your life who might benefit from being part of this circle.

09/03/2026

Last week our CEO, Tayyaba Khan, spoke at a Global Women International Women’s Day event alongside other leaders from across Aotearoa.

This year’s theme, , focused on how progress happens when people share opportunity, knowledge, and support with others.

At CSC we see every day why this matters. Many of the people we support are women and girls navigating trauma and violence. Strong communities and leadership help create safer futures.

Thank you to Global Women for bringing people together for these important conversations.

Photo credit: NZ Global Women