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.

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 Building

Helping people and organisations gain knowledge, skills, and confidence—especially to work in trauma-informed and disability-responsive ways.

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.

Critical Mass

The tipping point when enough people, support, or momentum builds up to create real and lasting change.

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

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.

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

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.

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 shareholders. Instead, it puts all its resources back into its mission and community.

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.

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.

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.

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

Safeguarding

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 supports the Enabling Good Lives approach. It gives a clear, shared way for people and services to promote and protect disabled people’s rights and respond to abuse when needed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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: www.tepunaaonui.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.

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.