Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse

MSD leads the funding and development of services to support male survivors of sexual abuse and their support networks. 

The aim is to provide services for male survivors of sexual abuse (MSSA) that are:

• accessible and more readily available 
• responsive, evidence-based and aligned with good practice 
• delivered by an appropriately skilled workforce 
• part of the wider service system responding to sexual violence 
• able to support the well-being of male survivors of sexual abuse through peer support services. 

Background

In 2015, the Social Services Committee and the Law Commission identified that victims/survivors and perpetrators of sexual violence were not receiving the services that they need, because:

• there was insufficient investment
• services were poorly co-ordinated, without visibility of specific service needs and populations.

This was partially addressed in Budget 2014 and Budget 2016 with time limited funding for the ongoing stabilisation of MSSA services.

In Budget 2019, MSD received $11.998 million over four years to support the continued development and implementation of MSSA services across the country. This has led to an increase from 6 to 11 funded providers across New Zealand.

Over this time MSD has worked closely with the MSSA sector on several initiatives such as the delivery of a results measurement framework and outcomes measures.

Service guidelines

Male survivors of sexual abuse service guidelines were developed in 2018 following a consultation process with service providers.