MSD "sexual harm" update: helpline, service evaluation and more

The Ministry of Social Development's (MSD) latest update on "sexual harm" service development provides updates on the national helpline, evaluation of "sexual harm" services, a registration of interest on service gaps, service guidelines and kaupapa Māori service pilot.

The new Safe to talk helpline will launch in the Canterbury region on 19 February 2018. This is an initial test of the helpline and referral pathways. Homecare Medical, who will operate the helpline, ran a workshop in Christchurch in December to identify referral pathways to local services. Additional workshops will be held in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington between February and April. MSD will provide more information about these workshops soon. The helpline is expected to be available nationally in April 2018.

The evaluation of specialist "sexual harm" services is moving to the assessment (formative evaluation) phase. Malatest, who has been contracted to develop the evaluation, will be contacting providers of Ministry-funded specialist "sexual harm" services for feedback. This feedback will inform the development of the evaluation plans, performance monitoring tools and quarterly reporting. An advisory group has been formed with Te Ohaakii a Hine – National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAH-NNEST). 

Other updates include:

• The Registration of Interest to fill gaps in "sexual harm" crisis support services in the Midlands and Southern regions closed on 2 February 2018.
• MSD will be contacting "sexual harm" crisis support services contracted by the Ministry for feedback on the Service Guidelines.
• Korowai Tumanako will begin delivering the kaupapa Māori service pilot addressing harmful sexual behaviour for non-mandated adults on 1 February 2018 in Te Atatu, Auckland.

Read the 30 January 2018 full update on the MSD website. You can also read all past updates and sign up to receive future updates.

Also see the latest update from the Government’s cross-agency family violence and sexual violence work programme.