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Defence Health HubHarmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) Support
Tautoko mō ngā Whanonga, Taihemahema
Health Support for Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB)
Defence Health is committed to providing all members of the NZDF (including members of the armed forces, civil staff and territorial forces while on duty) harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) support. This includes people who have experienced HSB, people who have engaged in HSB, and the wider networks affected by incidents of HSB (e.g. command and management, family and whānau, and teams).
Defence Health offers a "no wrong door" approach to HSB disclosures and support. NZDF members can seek assistance from any NZDF health professional they feel comfortable approaching. This includes Doctors, Nurses, Psychologists and Medics for members of the armed forces, and Chaplains and Social Workers for any member of the NZDF.
Social Workers (HSB) are the specialist internal pathway for members seeking HSB support. See table below for contact details, and click here for the contact details of other NZDF health and wellbeing providers.
Defence Health also operates an on-call HSB Response Line, which is available to all NZDF members, including commanders and managers seeking guidance. The NZDF HSB Response Line (0800 693 324, Overseas: +64 4 527 5799) is available from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm, seven days a week.
Social Worker HSB Contacts
|
NORTHERN |
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| Whenuapai | 021 908 424 |
| Devonport | 021 908 655 |
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CENTRAL |
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| Ōhakea | 021 913 645 |
| Waiouru | 021 957 148 |
| Linton | 021 940 242 |
|
WELLINGTON |
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| Trentham & HQNZDF | 021 913 673 |
|
SOUTHERN |
|
| Woodbourne | 021 913 691 |
| Burnham | 021 193 2836 |
Support for Those Experiencing HSB
If you have experienced or been affected by HSB, NZDF healthcare professionals can provide a range of support, including:
- Information about available support options and complaint or investigation pathways.
- Support for medical and wellbeing needs.
- Advice, support, and brief therapeutic interventions for HSB and any related concerns.
- Referrals to specialist services (e.g. Accident Compensation Corporation Sensitive Claims and Rongoā Māori services).
- Risk and safety assessment, planning, and support.
- Support and advocacy throughout complaints processes, investigations, and/or military justice proceedings.
Support for Those Engaging in HSB
People who are engaging in HSB, whether through concerns about problematic sexual behaviour or because they have caused harm to another person, are encouraged to seek support as early as possible.
Rehabilitation and behaviour change interventions can reduce the risk of further harm and contribute to the safety and wellbeing of others. Support may include:
- Assessment and support for wellbeing and medical needs.
- Advice, support, and brief therapeutic interventions for HSB and any associated health and wellbeing concerns.
- Referrals to specialist behaviour-change services.
- Risk and safety assessment, planning, and support.
- Support throughout complaints processes, investigations, and/or military justice proceedings.
Family, Whānau, and Broader Networks
The impacts of HSB often extend beyond those directly involved. Family and whānau, friends, witnesses, colleagues, and other third parties may also be affected.
People can seek support, information, and education to better understand how to support those impacted by HSB.
Support is also available to family and whānau (both internal and external to the NZDF) of NZDF members through Social Work and Chaplaincy services. They may also approach their own healthcare professional for support and advice.
External Resources
www.safetotalk.nz Safe to talk 0800 044 334 24/7, private and confidential information for anyone affected by HSB, including families of the person accused. They are also available online, by text, or email. Safe to talk is a referral service and includes information for Māori, Pasifika, male survivors, LBGTTQI, and migrant and refugee communities.
www.kahukura.co.nz New Zealand website with info and resources for rainbow communities re partner and sexual violence.
www.livingwell.org.au Australian website with resources, including an app, for men who have been sexually abused and their friends, and family.
www.netsafe.org.nz A New Zealand website with Info for young people, parents, professionals about all aspects of internet safety, including scams, sexting and much more.
www.tika.org.nz Tika is a free, trauma-informed legal service that enables adults who have experienced harmful sexual behaviour to confidentially report their experiences, receive legal support and where patterns are identified that multiple individuals have reported harm by the same person, allows victim/survivors, if they choose, to consider collective legal action e.g. Criminal, Civil, Regulatory etc.
thelightproject.co.nz The Light Project provides training, resources, education, and specialist advice to support young people, whānau, schools, and professionals to safely navigate issues such as pornography, digital-based abuse, online sexual experiences, and digital sexual wellbeing.
www.safenetwork.org.nz (Upper North Island); www.wellstop.org.nz (Central and Lower North Island); www.stop.org.nz (South Island). These three-services cover Aotearoa, New Zealand to provide specialist assessment, treatment, education, and support for children, young people, and adults displaying concerning or problematic sexual behaviours, or who are using harmful sexual behaviour against others. The aim is to reduce harm, strengthen wellbeing, and support safer outcomes.