Wellington Rape Crisis Popup Service in Newtown for Families of Survivors of Sexual Violence

Wellington Rape Crisis is excited to be offering Whanau Manaaki, a pop up drop-in service to family and friends of survivors of sexual harm in Newtown Mall, every Thursday, from the 7th of June to the 30th of August.

Wellington Rape Crisis are well known for the support services they offer to survivors, and this community-based day will create a space for family and friends to receive support and information for themselves and their loved ones. When sexual harm occurs, its impacts can be felt across the whole family or community; and often those close to survivors can play an important role in helping their loved ones to heal from these impacts.

During these sessions, anyone is welcome to pop in for a hot drink and a chat with one of our social workers who can help them to navigate the options available to survivors, along with discussing ways to best support their loved ones whilst taking care of themselves.

“Wellington Rape Crisis has provided services to survivors for 40 years in Wellington and has always been passionate about not only the survivors who walk through our doors – but also and importantly, the many survivors who do not. How can we increase the reach of what we know works for survivors in their journey to healing? How can we give wider families opportunities to heal?” says Agency Manager, Kyla Rayner.

“Family and friends can also feel disempowered and isolated when sexual violence occurs to someone they care for. We want everyone in our families and communities to have the skills to best respond when some discloses that something has happened to them, and our Whanau Manaaki project hopes to pass on some of our knowledge and expertise over to the community so more survivors can receive the right support for them, when they need it”.

Wellington Rape Crisis are grateful to run this project in partnership with the Wellington City Council.

ENDS

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