Te whakaiti ake i te kino
Reducing harm

Preventing sexual violence

We're working on a Sexual Violence Prevention Action Plan to focus on the attitudes and behaviours that cause sexual violence.

Safer Venues project

A key action in the plan is the Safer Venues project, focussed on the prevention of sexual harm and violence in Wellington at night.

The project is coordinated by RespectEd Aotearoa and led by the Safer Venues Steering Group, made up of members of the Wellington hospitality community. They're creating a network of hospitality venues that actively foster an environment where everyone can enjoy their night out free from sexual harm and violence.

Crime prevention tool

Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) is a tool that makes communities safer through strategic neighbourhood planning. Through a set of safety principles, CPTED helps to deter criminal behaviour, reduces fear of crime and increases perceptions of safety. We're applying the methodology to all public space improvements across the city.

Wellington Alliance Against Sexual Violence

We've hosted the Wellington Alliance Against Sexual Violence (WAASV) and accessibility advisors on a daytime and night-time walkabout around Dixon Street to Courtenay Place to gather feedback first-hand from the community on areas that look and feel unsafe and how we can improve them.

Get involved

If you'd like to get in touch or if you're interested in getting involved with the sexual violence prevention mahi, email communitysupport@wcc.govt.nz.

Our street community

Our streets are for everyone. We need to look after vulnerable residents and ensure our streets are safe, clean and accessible. We take a partnership approach to supporting Wellington's street community.

Our Hāpai Ake Community Wellbeing team monitors our streets and talks to local businesses and building owners. They also connect vulnerable people with support services and discourage anti-social behaviour.

We also work with DCM to support the most marginalised people in Wellington. We fund the Assertive Outreach Programme, where teams go out on the streets and connect with rough sleepers. They aim to increase their mana by ensuring they're housed, connected, valued, and thriving in their community.

Find out what we are doing about homelessness.

Using CCTV cameras

We use our network of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to improve safety, collect data and understand what's going on in the city. We support agencies to prevent crime and reduce harm including NZ Police, community controls and Hāpai Ake.

Read more about how we're using CCTV to make our city a safer place.

Eyes On

Eyes On is a programme for businesses in Wellington to share information and build retailer skills to manage and reduce store thefts effectively. It's a joint initiative between First Retail, Wellington City Council, and NZ Police.

To find out more, including how to join, visit the Eyes On website.

First Retail and NZ Police are also working together to deliver safety, welfare and proactive crime prevention training sessions for customer-facing businesses, supported by DCM (Downtown Community Ministry) and Wellington City Council.

Who to call

If you think the behaviour of someone on the street is unlawful or unsafe, phone the police on 105. For emergencies, call 111.

If you'd like to report an issue with lighting, busking, cleaning, CCTV, begging or rough sleeping please use our online form.

You can also call our Contact Centre on 04 499 4444.