Health centres and hospitals New Zealand-wide have adopted the barcode device, and international governmental and NGO agencies are following suit. Requests for more barcodes plus governmental testimonials (supplied on request) demonstrate the barcodes' success.Testimonials:“The whole purpose of our National helpline is to help victims of violence to become safer. It is terribly ironic and awful if a pamphlet or card with information about our helpline turns out to be the cause of a woman getting assaulted if their partner finds it. These little barcodes are the perfect ‘invisible’ way for victims to have the number safely” (Liz McAneny, Ministry of Social development)“Great idea to put on to an address book. He would never find it, even though he might go looking in the address book to see what she has written there. Absolutely brilliant” (Rachel Smith, Family Violence Hospital Intervention Coordinator).

Traditional advertising was never going to be the answer. Instead, we arrived at a real solution. And without being melodramatic, a solution that could save lives.We created adhesive, faux ‘barcodes’ that carry a helpline number that’s disguised as the bar’s code. Printed in the standard New Zealand barcode shape and form, they can be stuck onto any domestic purchased product and go completely unnoticed. They also cost next to nothing to reproduce enabling us to supply nurses in A&E with rolls of the stickers. After dispensing treatment, nurses can dispense the helpline number to the victim.