Hon Amy Adams
Minister of Justice
Hon Anne Tolley
Minister for Social Development
11 August 2017
Homecare Medical to deliver national sexual violence helpline
Homecare Medical has been awarded the contract to develop and operate the 24/7 national helpline for New Zealanders
affected by sexual violence, say Justice Minister Amy Adams and Social Development Minister Anne Tolley.
“The Government is focused on developing a more sustainable and integrated national system to ensure victims of sexual
violence get the support and services they need at the right time,” says Ms Adams.
“This free helpline will enable anyone who is affected by sexual violence to be given information, referred to local
specialist services, and when required, provided with crisis counselling and support.”
“We want to better support victims of sexual violence through a long-term plan focusing on prevention, crisis and
on-going support. It’s expected the helpline will initially provide support to around 10,000 victims a year,” says Mrs
Tolley.
“The helpline will be rolled out in two phases with 24/7 phoneline services (including text/SMS and email) and a website
available in December 2017, and online chat and social media services from March 2018.”
Budget 2016 invested $46 million to develop specialist sexual violence services to better support victims and prevent
sexual violence.
The helpline is one of a number of initiatives under the work programme being led by the Ministerial Group on Family
Violence and Sexual Violence.
Owned by ProCare and Pegasus Health, Homecare Medical runs the National Telehealth Service which delivers free health
and mental health advice, support and information including Healthline, Need to talk? 1737, Quitline and other
specialist services.
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