Little Matters
Raising a future free from child sexual abuse.
Little Matters are the small, everyday codes, tikanga, and habits that help keep tamariki safer today and raise a future free from child sexual abuse.
What is Little Matters?
Little Matters was developed by ACC with parents, caregivers, and prevention experts to help prevent child sexual abuse.
Little Matters helps people take small, doable everyday actions that help build clarity, respect, and connection.
Each action may feel small. But together, they help keep kids safer now and support healthier relationships in their future.
Many of use are already doing some of these things. Little Matters gives them a shared name we can all use, and 10 examples to start with.
When we share our Little Matters, we learn from each other and make them more visible. This helps keep our children safer today and raise a future free from child sexual abuse.
Learn more about Little Matters
Why this matters
Sexual harm affects many people in Aotearoa. There’s not one single cause of sexual harm. It grows from everyday attitudes and behaviours, which is also where change can start.
Small, consistent codes or tikanga help build kids’ language and confidence as they grow. This helps reduce risk today and help create a safer tomorrow.
Backed by evidence
Little Matters has been developed with parents and caregivers, along with experts in sexual violence prevention. It has been tested with diverse people across Aotearoa to ensure it resonates and motivates kōrero and action.
Join the movement
Every organisation, community, and individual is different. That's why Little Matters is designed to be flexible.
Little Matters is based on the idea that preventing sexual harm starts with everyday attitudes, behaviours, and conversations. The Little Matters toolkit makes it easier to start these conversations.
The toolkit provides practical resources and templates you can adapt for your organisation, community, or context.
About ACC and Little Matters
We support people impacted by sexual abuse or assault through the Sensitive Claims Service and invests in prevention so fewer people are harmed in the first place.
Learn more about our Sensitive Claims Service
We are one of a range of government agencies that fund services and supports for people who have experienced sexual violence.
Learn more about government work to respond to and prevent sexual violence
Little Matters on social media
Need support?
If you or someone you love needs help, you’re not alone.
If you’re in immediate danger:
Call 111
Safe to talk – Sexual harm helpline (24/7, free, confidential):
Call, text, or webchat. They’ll listen, support you, and connect you to local services if you want.
Call 0800 044 334
Text 4334
Webchat at safetotalk.nz
Sensitive Claims Service
We fund therapy and other support for people affected by sexual abuse or assault. You can start by contacting Safe to talk, who can connect you with an available ACC funded therapy provider. Or you can also search for a provider yourself at findsupport.co.nz
Last published: 13 October 2026