LGBTQIA+, MVPFAFF+, Takatāpui Survivors

We understand that discriminatory attitudes and behaviours towards the Rainbow community while in care have had a profound impact, causing lasting harm to those targeted.

The Service aims to alleviate the ongoing impacts of abuse in care for the LGBTQIA+, MVPFAFF+, Takatāpui community by letting people be themselves in private sessions and in their engagements with us. We have team members who are within the Rainbow community, and always ask people before sessions if they have any gender preference and identity considerations.

We support people who experienced abuse,  including conversion practices within faith-based Institutions (e.g. Jehovahs Witness, Exclusive Brethren) plus any other state-care or other forms of care – both historical and modern-day.

We support people who have experienced different types of abuse, including behaviours that may not been seen as “traditional abuse”. This includes transphobic, biphobic, homophobic or interphobic microaggressions, neglect and alienation, loss of family and ongoing relationships, restraint and seclusion, lack of education, lack of privacy, loss of culture and cultural abuse.

We are receptive and value input from the Rainbow community to understand how to make the service as accessible as possible. We welcome discussion to better navigate this space for LGBTQIA+, MVPFAFF+, Takatāpui people, and those that have experienced conversion therapy or practices.

For more information about how you can share your experiences, you can visit our For Survivors webpage.

Wellbeing support

Sharing your experiences of abuse in care, or receiving your records, can be emotionally difficult.

We provide wellbeing support to help reduce the impact of this and support you while you engage with our service.

You may be able to receive:

• Up to 6 sessions of counselling, therapy, art therapy, or massage / mirimiri, OR
• Other short term wellbeing support that is meaningful to you,

Support is available to help with the impacts of when you share your story with us or receive your care records.

If, while working with you, we notice you may need other types of support, we will talk with you about this.
With your agreement, we can help connect you with other services that may be better placed to support your needs beyond our service.

We aim to provide support that respects your culture, identity, and access needs, including for Māori, Pasifika, Deaf Survivors, and people with disabilities.

Talk with our team about what support might help. Support is offered at your pace, with care and respect.