A Good Start: Phone a helpline

If you’re not ready to see a doctor or therapist, but you’d like to talk to someone anonymously, Safe to Talk is there for you.

Their team understands sexual harm and trauma, and they will listen without judgment. You can contact them any time, day or night.

Contact Safe to Talk:
📞 Call: 0800 044 334
📱 Text: 4334
📧 Email: support@safetotalk.nz
🌐 safetotalk.nz

You can talk with them about anything that’s on your mind.

All the national helplines will help you link to other support that is available in your region

Talk to a GP (GeneralPractitioner/Doctor)

One option is to visit to your GP, where you can simply say:

“I’d like to file a sensitive claim.”

This is enough to begin the process. Your GP will submit a sensitive claim to ACC which gives you access to free, specialised therapy. GP’s also support your well being in other ways, such as helping with anxiety, sleep difficulties, or other health effects related to trauma.

If going to a GP doesn’t feel right for you, that’s okay. You can start the process yourself by contacting an ACC-registered therapist directly.

Find a Therapist

Visit FindSupport.co.nz to see a list of ACC-registered therapists in your area.

Each provider has a short profile, and you’ll be able to see what kind of therapy they offer.

A therapist will submit the sensitive claim for you. This gives you the freedom to choose someone who feels right for you.

What Happens Next?

Once they receive your claim, ACC will contact you. However, providing it’s an ACC registered therapist, you do not need to wait for the claim to be approved to get started with therapy - there will be no cost to you.

If the therapist you’re seeing doesn’t feel like the right fit, that’s okay. You are allowed to change therapists and the ACC team can help you with that. Even after your claim is lodged, there is no pressure to act on it until you are ready.

This is YOUR healing journey.

For more in depth and up to date answers to your questions about how this works and what you are entitled to, call ACC Sensitive Claims 0800 735 566 or visit their website.

Thinking About Reporting to the Police?

If you would prefer to report abuse to the Police this can be done at any Police Station. The Police are trained to respond to sensitive situations. Your first visit may simply be to ask questions, you do not need to make a statement at this stage. Should you choose to make a formal statement, the Police will initiate some support for you and subsequent follow up. You will determine the pace of any further follow up visits. It’s helpful to have a support person with you for your initial visit.

Reporting abuse is encouraged as it can be a step toward safety, justice, and healing, not just for yourself, but possibly for others too. But, timing and readiness is different for everyone.

You can choose to report the abuse at a time that feels safe for you. If you’ve already started an ACC Sensitive Claim, your therapist or support person can accompany you when speaking with Police, if that would help you feel more supported. In some cases, the Police may even be able to meet you in a setting that feels more comfortable, like your therapist's office or your own home.

The non-emergency phone number for the NZ Police is 105 or for more information about what to expect, you can visit their website.

The Ministry of Justice website provides a good overview of what to expect every step of the way when reporting to the Police.

Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice is another option that offers a path toward healing and reconciliation between those who have experienced Harmful Sexual Behavior and those who have caused Sexual Harm. It is provided free of charge in a safe, professionally facilitated environment by trained therapists, who work with both parties, either together or separately, depending on what’s appropriate.

This process may take place face-to-face with the Restorative Justice team or through other forms of communication. If you have a therapist, they may be able to support you as part of this journey.

Importantly, Restorative Justice is survivor led, ensuring that it remains safe, respectful, and appropriate for all involved. Restorative justice may include conversations such as:

• What happened, how come and why me?

• The harmful impact of the abuse

• What needs to be acknowledged and addressed

This process helps the person responsible to take accountability, offer an apology and make commitments to address the harm. The process is carefully supported by trained facilitators, and participation is always your choice.

Project Restore

Phone - +64 9308 9712
Email - info@projectrestore.nz

Project Restore NZ is New Zealand's national provider of restorative justice for harmful sexual behaviour and sexual violence.

Acknowledgement

The time that has passed doesn’t lessen what happened, nor does it diminish your need to be heard and supported. We acknowledge with sorrow that many have been harmed, not only by what was done, but also by how the Ministry and fellowship responded, often with silence, disbelief, or inaction.

We regret this deeply and are embracing change.

We recognise that references to faith may bring pain or a sense of threat, particularly when trust has been betrayed by those claiming to represent it. If this has been your experience, we apologise.

People have failed in ways that have betrayed trust and left deep wounds. This does not reflect who God is. He cares.

As a community, we will keep learning and growing in how we respond and how we care for those who have been harmed.