Strengthening of support for sexual violence sector
The Government is looking at ways to strengthen support for the sexual violence sector at a national level.
Across the sector, a range of Crown agencies, NGOs and private organisations work together to provide services for victims/survivors, perpetrators and their support networks including families and whānau.
These services include prevention initiatives, information services, crisis support, medical/forensic services, victim care and recovery, justice services and perpetrator treatment.
As part of this, ACC funds providers to help prevent sexual violence and to enable people affected by sexual abuse or assault to access the support, treatment and rehabilitation they need.
Across the sector, this represents an investment of millions of dollars in sexual violence services and prevention activity each year.
This work is being led by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and ACC. It is part of the cross-government work programme being coordinated by the Multi-Agency Team for Family Violence and Sexual Violence.
Benefits of strengthening support
Benefits of strengthening support at a national level include:
- strengthened capability and capacity of the sector to deliver effective services and prevention activity
- better collaboration between government and providers, and between providers
- ensuring the sector is better informed on:
- emerging information and evidence on good practice
- developments within the sector
- government policy and processes.
- better understanding of the needs of victims and of the availability and effectiveness of prevention activity and support services across the country
- opportunities to create more efficient and co-ordinated services and contracting processes
- well-informed public policy and service development.
How the work will be carried out
The independent sector working group will define what support the sector requires and to design the best ways to provide this support.
The working group was set up through an Opportunity for Engagement process to ensure wide representation from NGOs, service providers and interested parties. It has an independent facilitator - Meredith Osmond. Meredith is a qualified social worker and has experience in foster care, residential care, adoption, child protection, policy, youth justice and national leadership roles both here and in the UK.
Working group representatives were sought from the following services:
- sexual harm crisis support services
- harmful sexual behaviour services
- male survivor services
- ‘Safe to talk’ national sexual violence helpline service
- MEDSAC
- Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims
- sexual violence prevention providers
- child and adolescent services
- existing sector bodies, e.g. TOAH-NNEST and MSA.
The working group will also consult with representatives from iwi, LBGTQI+ community, Pacific community, youth representatives and the disability sector.
The design phase being led by the working group and we expect it will take 8 months to complete.
| Member | Organisation |
|---|---|
| Lesley Ayland | WellStop |
| Giselle Bahr | Te Aro Psychology |
| Anne Bateman | Homecare Medical |
| Catherine Buckley | Bay of Plenty Sexual Assault Support Service |
| Tony Chamberlain | Male Survivors Aotearoa |
| Nici Curtis | Ta Moko Services and the Psychology Centre Ltd |
| Christina Faalogo-Lilo | Active+ |
| Stella Gukibau | Tu Wahine Trust |
| Rachel Harrison | N/A |
| Letoa Henry Jenkins | Village Collective |
| Susanna Kent | Medical Sexual Assault Clinicians Aotearoa |
| Angelo Libeau | Rape Crisis Dunedin |
| Lisa Lawrence | Safe Families Motueka |
| Kathryn McPhillips | Auckland Sexual Abuse HELP |
| Nicola Paton | New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse |
| Anjum Rahman | N/A |
| Ezekiel Robson | N/A |
| Gurmeeta Singh | N/A |
| Maggy Tai Rakena | START |
| Joy Te Wiata | Korowai Tumanako |
Working Group recommendations
Once the working group has made its recommendations, we'll work through the process to put the recommendations into effect, with consultation if required.
Further information
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