Sexual Harm Crisis Support Services

The Ministry of Social Development funds sexual harm crisis support (SHCSS) services throughout New Zealand to provide acute support to victim/survivors of sexual violence. SHCSS support includes:

• Advocacy and support 24/7
• Emergency face-to-face sessions (including crisis counselling)
• Crisis social work support 

Advocacy and support (24/7)

The advocacy and support service for victims/survivors of sexual harm aims to support them through any treatment or other processes immediately following an event. This might include police interviews, assessment and treatment services, forensic medical examinations, therapeutic medical examinations, and follow-up medical examinations when requested.

Emergency face-to-face sessions (including crisis counselling)

Emergency face-to-face sessions for victims/survivors of sexual harm, or those affected by sexual harm (including support networks), provide a way to receive crisis counselling, face-to-face support sessions, referral to counsellors and psychotherapists, assistance with informed decision making, and access to resources.

Crisis social work support

This service provides social work support for clients during the crisis period. This can include assistance with engaging other social services and accommodation, as well as consultations and liaisons around child safety and crisis support work.

Background

Community-based sexual harm crisis support services began in New Zealand as a grassroots movement utilising volunteers as primary support people for those impacted by and/or recovering from sexual harm.

In Budget 16, $32m over four years was allocated for the ongoing stabilisation and long-term funding of SHCSS services. During this time, the Ministry worked with the sector to develop the sexual harm crisis support services guidelines.

See the service development consultation document for a full overview of sector engagement and consultation used to develop sexual harm crisis support services.

In Budget 19, MSD received $50.5m over four years to address cost-pressures experienced by SHCSS services.

Service guidelines

Sexual harm crisis support service guidelines were developed in 2017 and updated in 2018 following a consultation process with service providers. We are committed to continuous improvement and ensure the guidelines are reviewed to reflect that.