If you are a survivor of sexual harm, or family and friend who are supporting survivors
Sexual Harm Support Services
CAPS Hauraki has a specialist service for anyone affected by sexual violence. We support survivors of sexual violence as well the friends, partners and whanau of those affected by sexual abuse and/or violence. We offer support in a range of ways including:
Crisis counselling sessions
We provide crisis counselling sessions for people affected by sexual violence in Thames/Coromandel and Hauraki area.
The purpose of these sessions is to offer a space for you to start making sense of what has happened, regain some control or a sense of normality back in your life and support finding strategies to cope with the affects.
These sessions can be accessed at any time not just after a recent event of sexual harm. From these sessions we can also support you to access long-term ACC sensitive claims counselling and other support that feels right for you.
Support during Police Process
It is absolutely your choice whether you report the abuse to the Police. We support whatever choice you decide to make and can offer support through the Police and Medical processes available after sexual abuse. We do this by offering an advocate that can walk alongside you whether the event has just happened or it is something that has happened in the past (historical).
What happens if I call the police?
In New Zealand there is no statute of limitations for sexual abuse crimes. If you decide to do this, you can either call or go into your local Police station. If it is an emergency situation or you have injuries that need immediate attention, call 111.
Initially the Police will want a brief account of what happened to you and may suggest a forensic medical. Soon after, often the next day, you will be asked to do a formal interview. Speaking to the Police does not automatically mean that the offender will end up in court.
What if I change my mind?
If you initially talk to Police but change your mind soon after, you can withdraw your complaint. However, the longer the Police have been investigating and the closer to the Court process it is, the harder this will be.
Support during medical process
After an incident of sexual harm, attending to your physical well-being is important. This can be done separately from the Police and we usually recommend accessing the Medical Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care (MedSAC in Hamilton) as they are specialised in working in this area. You can also choose to collect evidence without the Police being involved. They can keep the evidence for up to six months so you have time and space to decide whether you want to go to the Police.
Social Work Support
Assistance can be provided during the crisis period to access Work and Income or other emergency needs.
Contact us
Our numbers are 07 868 8644 (office) or 0800 883300 (toll free) If you are dialing from a landline select 2 to access this service, if you are dialing from a cell phone select 3 for Waikato region and then 2 for this service.
During business hours you can also contact us through our text support number: 027 732 7000
Select from the links below to find out more:
CAPS Hauraki has a specialist service for anyone affected by sexual violence. We support survivors of sexual violence as well the friends, partners and whanau of those affected by sexual abuse and/or violence. We offer support in a range of ways including:
Crisis counselling sessions
We provide crisis counselling sessions for people affected by sexual violence in Thames/Coromandel and Hauraki area.
The purpose of these sessions is to offer a space for you to start making sense of what has happened, regain some control or a sense of normality back in your life and support finding strategies to cope with the affects.
These sessions can be accessed at any time not just after a recent event of sexual harm. From these sessions we can also support you to access long-term ACC sensitive claims counselling and other support that feels right for you.
Support during Police Process
It is absolutely your choice whether you report the abuse to the Police. We support whatever choice you decide to make and can offer support through the Police and Medical processes available after sexual abuse. We do this by offering an advocate that can walk alongside you whether the event has just happened or it is something that has happened in the past (historical).
What happens if I call the police?
In New Zealand there is no statute of limitations for sexual abuse crimes. If you decide to do this, you can either call or go into your local Police station. If it is an emergency situation or you have injuries that need immediate attention, call 111.
Initially the Police will want a brief account of what happened to you and may suggest a forensic medical. Soon after, often the next day, you will be asked to do a formal interview. Speaking to the Police does not automatically mean that the offender will end up in court.
What if I change my mind?
If you initially talk to Police but change your mind soon after, you can withdraw your complaint. However, the longer the Police have been investigating and the closer to the Court process it is, the harder this will be.
Support during medical process
After an incident of sexual harm, attending to your physical well-being is important. This can be done separately from the Police and we usually recommend accessing the Medical Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care (MedSAC in Hamilton) as they are specialised in working in this area. You can also choose to collect evidence without the Police being involved. They can keep the evidence for up to six months so you have time and space to decide whether you want to go to the Police.
Social Work Support
Assistance can be provided during the crisis period to access Work and Income or other emergency needs.
Contact us
Our numbers are 07 868 8644 (office) or 0800 883300 (toll free) If you are dialing from a landline select 2 to access this service, if you are dialing from a cell phone select 3 for Waikato region and then 2 for this service.
During business hours you can also contact us through our text support number: 027 732 7000
Select from the links below to find out more:
