Child Matters - Helen Heta

Qualifications

Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology and Philosophy)
FASS Honours Postgraduate Diploma Award
Certificate in Adult Learning
Certified in Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment

Helen has 18 years’ experience working with perpetrators of abuse, their victims, and their children. She spent 10 years working with victims and children experiencing or surviving the effects of domestic violence with Te Whakaruruhau Maori Women’s Refuge and Hamilton Refuge and Support Services as an advocate for change, as well as finance and funding manager for both refuges.

Helen worked for six years with Family Works Waikato as the family/whaanau victim’s advocate on the NZ Police Family Safety Team. She also spent two years with the Department of Corrections as a Reintegration Co-ordinator for Tai Aroha Intensive Treatment Unit for high risk violent offenders, and as a Waikato Probation Officers specialising in PAC (Providing Advice to the Courts) report writing.

Helen’s passion is working with families/whaanau experiencing domestic violence issues and abuse, with a focus on education and tailored holistic interventions, programme design, and programme evaluation.

Helen joined Child Matters in January 2018 and draws on her immense experience working with both perpetrators and victims of abuse when developing and delivering her training.