CFVC Reference Group Hui | 23 July 2026

Canterbury Family Violence Collaboration is a diverse group of for-purpose, non-governmental organisations and Government agencies. It includes specialist family and sexual violence support services, iwi, child-focused organisations, and mainstream organisations, all of which have clients whose lives are affected by family and/or sexual violence. Together, they work to improve and enhance the response to family and sexual violence through system-wide innovation and improvement.

For more information and to register, see the event page.

At this event Erin Ebborn from Portia Law will speak on the Harmful Digital Communications Act and its growing relevance across the family violence sector. New Zealand Police will also join the kōrero to share what they are seeing on the ground, including emerging trends, current challenges, and the realities of responding to digital harm and online offending.

As online harm, stalking, image-based abuse, harassment, coercive control, artificial intelligence, and cyber safety continue to intersect with family violence and wellbeing, understanding the Harmful Digital Communications Act and how it applies in practice is becoming increasingly important.

Topics will include:

• The Harmful Digital Communications Act
• Online harm and harassment
• Image-based abuse
• Coercive control and cyber safety
• Emerging trends and frontline insights from New Zealand Police
• Legal pathways and responsibilities
• Practical implications for organisations and frontline workers

This hui will be highly relevant for practitioners, team leaders, managers, educators, youth workers, leaders, community organisations, and anyone supporting people experiencing harm in an increasingly digital world.

Alongside the learning, the hui also provides an opportunity to connect with colleagues, strengthen relationships across our collaboration, and continue building a coordinated response to family violence.

For all queries, please contact the organiser: Canterbury.FVC@barnardos.org.nz.