Getting help and support Te whai āwhina me te tautoko
Thank you to all survivors for your willingness to engage with the Inquiry, and for sharing your experiences of abuse and neglect in State or faith-based care. There were (and are) many different types of damaging impacts of abuse and neglect. The impacts were (and are) endured throughout a lifetime. An impact can reoccur, manifest some time after the abuse or neglect had occurred, emerge later in life in response to events or triggers throughout a lifetime. Support is available through a range of providers.
Support services
Ratonga tautoko
Below is a list of some of the telephone helplines or services that offer support, information and help. All services are free.
Support networks
Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Aotearoa New Zealand Support services for male survivors of sexual abuse. Refer to their website for the support organisation nearest to you.
SNAP Aotearoa New Zealand - Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests Providing peer support for women and men wounded by religious and institutional authorities (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns, coaches, teachers, and others).
Survivor Experiences Service The Survivor Experiences Service is now available for people who were abused in State, faith-based, or other forms of care, as well as for a survivor’s whānau. Survivors and whānau can contact the Survivor Experiences Service to organise a time and place to share their experiences:
- call 0800 456 090
- text 8328.
- email contact@survivorexperiences.govt.nz
Support services
Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797 or online chat for people dealing with an alcohol or other drug problem; 10 am to 10 pm).
Anxiety phone line 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY).
Depression Helpline 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions).
Family Services 211 Helpline 0800 211 211 for help finding (and direct transfer to) community based health and social support services in your area.
Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP).
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
OUTline NZ 0800 688 5463 (OUTLINE) provides confidential telephone support for sexuality or gender identity issues; 9 am to 9 pm weekdays, and 6 pm to 8 pm weekends).
Rape Crisis 0800 883 300 (for support after rape or sexual assault).
Safe to talk (Available 24/7) 0800 044 334, free txt 4334, email support@safetotalk.nz, live webchat on www.safetotalk.nz. Free and confidential information and support from trained counsellors for people affected by sexual harm in any way.
Samaritans 0800 726 666
Skylight, 0800 299 100 for trauma, loss and grief; 9am–5pm weekdays.
Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).
Supporting Families in Mental Illness For families and whānau supporting a loved one who has a mental illness. Auckland 0800 732 825.
Victim Support This free service provides emotional and practical support, information, financial assistance, referral to other support services and advocacy for the rights of victims.
Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.
Historic claims
ACC Sensitive Claims Unit 0800 735 566 for treatment of claims related to sexual abuse or sexual assault.
Ministry of Social Development Historic Claims
Ministry of Education Historic Claims
Dilworth School (To register as an Old Boy and be kept up to date with developments on their redress programme)