Abusive text messages are forcing dozens of Bay of Plenty women to seek help from Women’s Refuge.

Staff say there has been a rapid increase in the number of complaints of abusive text messages in the past six months. The problem has become so bad that 80 per cent of women seeking help have been abused by text.

Vodafone has taken a hard line with abusive text messages, threatening to disconnect offenders’ phones.

Telecom can also monitor calls made from specific phone numbers and can keep copies of text messages for seven days.