Specialist Sexual Violence Sector delighted with Government’s comprehensive response to the Select Committee’s recommendations.

The sector is very pleased to see that the government has accepted and aligned its work priorities with many of the recommendations of the Select Committee Enquiry into Sexual Violence Services. We acknowledge the massive contribution from Government, NGO agencies, communities and individuals within this process and the advocacy and expert work required to get to this point in this Community-Government collaboration.

Sector specialists have worked with Governments over many years to obtain a better response to sexual violence. They participated in the development and now integration of the new ACC pathway and can confirm that ACC’s reported increase in those accessing service is also reflected within specialist providers.

Many specialist services continue to provide excellent, wrap around services and healing pathways for their communities despite unstable and financially unsustainable environments. The sector needs the Government to urgently increase funding to support the implementation of these recommendations, including further scoping and consultation as highlighted by the government response. This Government’s commitment to on-going funding to maintain a sustainable service sector is essential.

Nga Kaitiaki Mauri congratulates the Government on their support for the recommendations specific to Kaupapa Maori delivery. Extensive research evidences increased engagement when tangata whenua are able to access support from a Maori world view and this mirrors multiple international studies that validate indigenous practice.

While international models are useful to explore, TOAH-NNEST supports evidence based local solutions. We believe Aotearoa is a unique environment that requires considered thought and respect for our founding partnership, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the communities who live here.

TOAH-NNEST acknowledges the dedicated work of some particular politicians who have ensured that sexual violence has remained on the Government’s agenda and we will keenly watch to see the Government’s recommendations come to fruition.

We request that the Government continue to work with TOAH-NNEST as representatives of the specialist sexual violence sector.

Ends

© Scoop Media