Glossary – Explanation of Language
Ableism
Ableism is when a disabled person is treated unfairly or unequally because of their disability. This can include hateful attitudes, lack of access, being refused housing or jobs, or systems that keep disabled people in poverty.
Abuse
Any behaviour that causes physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological harm, neglect, or financial exploitation. Abuse can happen in families, institutions, care settings, or the community.
Legal context: Defined in multiple laws including the Family Violence Act 2018.
Accessible
Being an accessible violence prevention or response service means providing not only physical access to buildings (entrances, bathrooms and all other spaces), but offering fully accessible information in a range of formats. This includes access to NZ sign language users and interpreters, access to a disability specific advocate and supported decision making and access to legal services.
It means all organisations must develop policies and procedures in conjunction with tāngata whaikaha, d/Deaf, and disabled people that specify and teach the competencies required to understand who disabled people and adults at risk are; the dynamics and dimensions of violence against tāngata whaikaha, d/Deaf, and disabled women, men and children; and how to constructively respond to this violence, including a knowledge of available services and processes.
Adults at Risk
An Adult at Risk is:
a person (18 years and over) who has needs for care and/or support (whether they are receiving services or not), and
is experiencing (or is at risk of) family violence, sexual violence, or any form of abuse, neglect and harm, and
because of their needs for care and/or support, and because of the lack of structural resources, supports and services available to them, is unable to protect themselves from the abuse or the risk of it.
All parts of the definition must apply.
Legal context: Responsibilities are outlined under the Crimes Amendment Act 2011.
Aiga-tele
In Sāmoan culture, this refers to the extended family or wider support network. It often includes not just blood relatives but others who provide love, support, and care.
Barriers
Things that make it hard for someone to do something. Barriers might stop people from getting help, being safe, accessing information, or being heard.
Capability
Ability to develop and apply knowledge, assessments, skills, attitudes, behaviours – which then enable good policies, processes and practices.
Capability growing
Helping others to increase awareness and develop new knowledge, skills and practices in the detection, prevention and response to abuse against disabled people.
We work with people, organisations, government, NSAC assessors, disability support services, and across communities, agencies, and sectors.
Coercion
Forcing, pressuring, or manipulating someone into doing something they don’t want to do.
Legal context: Coercive control is recognised under the Family Violence Act 2018 as a form of psychological abuse.
CPVA
Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA) encompasses a broad range of violent and abusive behaviours that some children under the age of 18 display towards their parents/caregivers and whānau. The violence and abuse can also continue in adulthood.
Crimes Amendment Act 2011
This law introduced an offence for failing to protect a vulnerable adult or child from serious harm when the person is in a position of care or responsibility.
See: Crimes Amendment Act 2011, s195A
Critical mass
The tipping point when enough people, support, or momentum builds up to create real and lasting change.
Culturally safe
Creating environments where people feel safe, respected, and able to be themselves. This means being aware of power differences, colonisation, racism, and respecting diverse cultural values.
d/Deaf
Deaf (with a capital D) refers to people who identify with the Deaf community and culture and use New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).
deaf (lowercase) refers to people with hearing loss who may not use sign language or identify as part of the Deaf community.
Disability Abuse Prevention And Response (DAPAR)
Disability Abuse Prevention And Response (DAPAR) is a new approach that works to safeguard the rights of disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori and responds to situations of violence, abuse and harm.
The overall goal of DAPAR is to create safety and improve wellbeing and outcomes for tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people who are at risk of, or experiencing, violence, abuse, neglect or harm.
Enabling Good Lives
A movement in Aotearoa that promotes self-determination, mana, and inclusion for disabled people. It supports disabled people to have greater choice and control in their lives and access to the same opportunities as everyone else.
Learn more at: Enabling Good Lives
Family Violence Act 2018
Modernised the legal definition of family violence to include ongoing patterns of harm, coercion, control, and psychological abuse.
Read more: Family Violence Act 2018
FVSV
Family violence and sexual violence.
Hui
Meeting, gathering, or assembly.
Inclusive
In the context of accessibility and inclusion, the terms inclusive or inclusion mean: that everyone - regardles of gender, ability , disablity, background, ethnicity or circumstance - can fully participate, belong and be valued in a space , servcie, product, or community.
Inclusion typically involves everyone feelng welcomed and respected; barriers are removed (including social, physical, digital or communicatio barriers); diverse needs are considered from the start; people have an equal opportunity to participate; and differences are valued and not merely tolerated.
Independent advocate
A person who stands beside someone to help them understand their rights, speak up, and make informed choices. Advocates support the person’s voice to be heard.
Informed consent
When someone clearly understands what is being asked or done, what their choices are, and any risks involved—then agrees to it freely and without pressure.
Legal context: A key principle in the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights.
Intersectional
Intersectional means looking at how different parts of a person’s identity—like their race, gender, disability, or income level—connect and affect their life. These parts of who someone is don’t exist separately—they overlap and can create extra challenges when systems are unfair.
For example, someone who is a woman, Māori, and disabled may face discrimination that is different—and more complex—than what they might face from just one of those things alone.
This way of thinking helps us understand how unfair treatment can happen in layers, not just in one way, and why support needs to reflect people’s full experiences.
Kaupapa
Subject matter, guiding principles; a Māori-led approach, plan or philosophy.
Kōrero
A conversation or discussion.
Mahi
Work.
Multi-agency team
A group of professionals from different services (like health, disability, social work, police, and advocacy) who work together to support someone.
Neurodivergent
Describes people whose brains work differently than what society considers “typical.” This includes people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and more.
Not for profit
An organisation that doesn’t exist to make money for owners or stakeholders. Instead, it puts all its resources back into its mission and community.
Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC)
An agency that assesses your needs (in this case, in addressing violence, abuse and neglect) and co-ordinates services to support you. In New Zealand, the NASC service is the entry / access point into publicly funded Community Support Services.
NSAC (National Sexual Assault Clinic Network)
A national group of clinics that provide medical and support services to people who have experienced sexual harm.
More info at: NZFVC NSAC page
Outcomes
The positive results or changes that happen after someone receives support or services—such as increased safety, wellbeing, or system improvements.
People
By people we mean: tāngata whaikaha Māori, tagata sa’ilimalo, d/Deaf, neurodivergent, disabled people, Adults at Risk, and their families.
Policies and procedures
The written rules that guide how an organisation works. These explain what to do in different situations, including how to keep people safe and respond to complaints.
Prenatal
The time before birth, during or relating to pregnancy.
Privacy
The right to keep personal information safe and only share it when necessary or with permission.
Legal context: Protected under the Privacy Act 2020 and Health Information Privacy Code.
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample, model or version of a product, system or service, used to test concepts, gather feedback and refine designs before the final product, system or service is developed. It's a working model that allows designers to evaluate functionality, usability and overall design before investing in the permanent model. The DAPAR model was developed and trialled live for 12 months, before the VisAble organisation was established.
Royal Commission into Abuse in Care
An independent investigation into abuse and neglect that happened to children, young people, and vulnerable adults in state or faith-based care.
Visit: abuseincare.org.nz
SAFA (Safeguarding Adults From Abuse)
A national practice model for preventing and responding to abuse or neglect of disabled people and adults at risk.
Learn more at: SAFA.org.nz
SAFA Coordinator
A trained professional who helps guide the SAFA safeguarding response. They work closely with the adult and support team to ensure safety, choice, and dignity.
Safeguarding / whakahaumarutia
Actions and systems designed to keep people—especially disabled people and adults at risk—safe from abuse, neglect, and harm. Safeguarding includes prevention, response, and promoting rights.
Safeguarding Framework
The Safeguarding Framework underpins the Enabling Good Lives (explained above) approach.
It’s designed to establish a common understanding and consistent approach to help promote, protect and enhance the rights of disabled people and protect people against abuse.
Safeguarding response
When a situation of concern is raised, this is the coordinated process that follows to support the adult’s safety, dignity, and wishes—often involving multiple people and services.
Sensory input
The information the body receives from within itself from the senses, and from the environment, which is then processed by the brain. This includes sight, sound, touch, smell and taste, and a sense of body position, movement and balance. This process allows people to interact with and navigate their world and to understand their body’s needs.
Sensory profile
A sensory profile is a tool, often used by occupational therapists, to understand how a person’s nervous system processes sensory information, which can then help identify patterns of sensitivity and how they affect daily functioning.
It assesses various responses to stimuli such as sound, touch, sight and smell and can be used to develop personalised strategies and environmental supports to assist an individual’s participation in activities.
Siblings
Brothers and sisters.
Situation of concern
When someone notices or reports that an adult might be experiencing harm, abuse, neglect, or unsafe conditions. This can come from a person, whānau, organisation, or community member.
Supported decision making
Supported decision making is a way for people to make their own decisions, based on their will and preference. Supported decision-making is an important process for people with dementia, acquired brain injuries, neuro-disabilities, and other disabilities. Supported decision making is different from 'substitute decisions' someone else makes for a person. Supported decision-making is considered best-practice by the UNCRPD, of which New Zealand is a signatory.
System-based change
Transforming how entire systems (like health, education, or justice) work - so they are more inclusive, fair, and responsive to the needs of disabled people and communities.
Takiwātanga
Takiwatanga is a Māori term that means "in their own time and space." It is often used to describe the experience of autistic individuals, emphasizing their unique perspectives and the importance of allowing them to engage with the world at their own pace.
Additionally, Takiwatanga highlights the interconnectedness of time, space, and place within indigenous knowledge systems. It is regarded as a mana-enhancing term that recognizes autistic people as unique individuals with gifts and strengths.
Tangata sa’ilimalo
A respectful Sāmoan term meaning "people seeking victory." Used to describe Sāmoan disabled people.
Tāngata whaikaha Māori
Māori disabled people, including those who are d/Deaf, neurodivergent, or experience mental distress or long-term health conditions. It acknowledges disability as part of a person’s mana and whakapapa.
Te Puna Aonui
The interagency executive board leading the government’s work to eliminate family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa.
Learn more: preventfvsv.govt.nz
Trauma-informed
A way of working that understands how trauma affects people’s lives and choices. It focuses on creating safe, healing, and empowering environments.
Triage
Actioned in order of priority to provide the most critical care first. This means that situations of concern (i.e. where violence, abuse and neglect are occurring or are at risk of occurring) will be assessed to ensure the most serious situations are addressed first.
Twin-track Response
An approach that includes disabled people in all mainstream services and provides specialist disability-focused support when needed.
Whānau-centred
Putting the wellbeing of the whole whānau at the heart of services. Recognises the strength and interconnection of families and communities.
Whānau
Family