Women's Refuge says the aftershock that hit Christchurch on 13 June has resulted in an influx of women into its safe houses.
Chief executive Nicola Woodward says numbers at the five refuges dropped after the September and February earthquakes, as women either returned to their partners, or decided to stay with them, so they had help with post-quake problems.
But she says within 24 hours of the earthquake in June, all the refuges were full and they have stayed that way ever since.
Ms Woodward says staff have also noticed that the women are using more alcohol and drugs to cope with the difficult and challenging circumstances.
Police in Christchurch say they have also seen an increase in domestic violence since June and the level of the violence has become more severe.
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