The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has launched a service for people who have experienced sexual violence.

Find Support services offers support for family and whanau. It provides up to 14 hours of fully-funded support, without needing to go through the assessment process. It aims to help victims find the support they need following sexual violence, in their time, on their terms.

“We play a key role in supporting people dealing with the effects of sexual abuse and assault. We’re also increasing our efforts to help to prevent sexual violence,” ACC said. “We want to help reduce the incidence of sexual violence and the huge personal, social and economic impacts that result from it.”

In line with this, ACC also mentioned the Ministry of Social Development’s Safe to Talk service, a helpline providing free confidential 24/7 support to people affected by sexual harm in any way. 

Additionally, ACC noted a Mates & Dates programme is available to secondary school students. It educates them about healthy relationships, aiming to reduce sexual and dating violence.

“We’re investing in Mates & Dates over the next two years to reach all New Zealand secondary schools that want to implement the programme,” the commission added.