Support Guide

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Survivors are informed about reporting options, legal rights, and the reporting process, with respect for cultural considerations.

• Sexual violence (victimsupport.org.nz)

Citizens Advice Bureau.

• What we do - Ā mātau mahi | Citizens Advice Bureau (cab.org.nz)

• Legal Representation Recommendations for legal representatives knowledgeable about child protection laws and committed to child-safe legal practices, tailored to both recent and historic abuse cases.

Reporting the Abuse:

MEDICAL CARE

Ensuring survivors receive medical care with sensitivity and privacy, addressing both immediate and long-term health needs.

Pohutukawa – Auckland Adult Sexual Assault Service:

• Healthpoint Auckland based service offering specialist medical service for adults (age 18 years & over) of all genders who have been sexually assaulted or abused. Further local resources mentioned.

• Long-term Health Needs. Access to ongoing medical support addressing immediate and long-term health needs, for survivors of both recent and historic abuse.

Physical Health:

SNAP) this is an international peer support organisation, with a New Zealand network, that supports and works with survivors of institutional abuse. There is a link to connect with a support person for those impacted within Christian religious organisations.

EMOTIONAL &

PSYCHOLOGICAL

SUPPORT

Recommendations for therapists and support groups sensitive to cultural nuances and historical trauma.

• Toah-Nnest: TOAH-NNEST is the national network of those providing specialist services for sexual violence prevention and intervention: 

• Te Ohaakii a Hine-National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together. It represents about 40 specialist not for profit organisations (NGOs)and many individual specialists working throughout Aotearoa New Zealand in whanau/ families, hapu, iwi and communities. It also has associate members from a wide range of allied NGOs.

• Website - http://toah-nnest.org.nz/ 

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests:

Counselling and Therapy:

• Website - Aotearoa-New Zealand - Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

• Website - Who We Are — The Road Forward 

• Email - Support@theroadforward.org.nz 

• Phone – 0800 118 104 

• Text - 021 118 1043 

The Road Forward Trust:

Peer to peer support for male survivors in Wellington, Porirua, Hutt Valley, Kapiti and Wairarapa. Great resource generally for supporting survivors.

Better Blokes:

Free peer support for male survivors of sexual assault. Auckland based. Four contacts available to connect with in North, South, East and West Auckland along with general contact point.

• Website - https://betterblokes.org.nz/

• Phone – 0800 448 484

COMMUNITY &

PEER SUPPORT

Connection to survivor support groups fostering inclusivity and cultural sensitivity.

Tautoko Tane – Nationwide organisation supporting male survivors. Has links to all the regional groups around NZ.

Support Groups:

• Self Care - Rape Prevention Education (rpe.co.nz) 

• Website - Male Survivors Canterbury - Group Peer Group Family Support (canmen.org.nz) 

• Website – Tautoko Tāne Male Survivors Aotearoa (tautokotane.nz) 

The Canterbury Men’s Centre – Peer support, advocacy and groups for male survivors in Christchurch, Kaiapoi and Ashburton. Free and payment services / support available

• Phone - 03 365 9000

• Text -  022 302 4966 

Online Resources: Recommending online resources that provide accessible and relevant support for survivors of both recent and historic abuse.

Through the ISSC (Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims), support is provided for anyone in New Zealand, including visitors to the country, who has experienced sexual violence. We may also be able to help if you're a New Zealand resident and have experienced sexual violence while travelling overseas. It doesn't matter if the event happened recently or a long time ago. 

To get help if you have experienced child sexual abuse, google www.findsupport.co.nz

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Information on financial assistance programs providing support with transparency and accountability for survivors regardless of when the abuse occurred.

• Website - https://www.findsupport.co.nz/

• Phone - 0800 101 996

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC):

Medical and Legal Expense Support :

If you've experienced sexual violence :

Access to 24/7 hotlines and crisis centres staffed with professionals trained in trauma-informed care, sensitive to the unique needs of survivors reporting recent or historic abuse. 

• You will have the option to find an ACC registered therapist in your region.  

• You have the option of choosing a male or female therapist.

• Initially you will get 2 hours of face-to-face sessions with a therapist.

• If you find the first person isn’t the right therapist for you, you can try someone else. 

• The Therapist will put in the paperwork through to ACC for you. 

• Then are a further 4 hours of face-to-face sessions that are funded.

• If you are not eligible for further ACC cover, then you still have another 2 hours of sessions following this.

There are 10-12 hours of initial services accessible for anyone to use under ACC before a decision is made if the sessions will be funded or not.

The above initial help is open to anyone in New Zealand, whether the abuse happened in New Zealand or not.

If you want to discuss this process with ACC, you can phone 0800 101 996 and ask to speak with someone who is trained in the area of ‘sensitive claims’. These people are extremely helpful and understanding

In summary: