A leading sexual violence prevention organisation will close its doors later this year after the Government pulled funding, sparking warnings the decision could leave communities more vulnerable and weaken efforts to stop abuse before it happens.
RespectEd Aotearoa says it will cease operations after August, following the loss of Government support that funded its prevention and education programmes across schools, workplaces and communities. The organisation has specialised in consent education, healthy relationships training and violence-prevention initiatives designed to stop sexual harm before it occurs.
The Public Service Association says the closure risks creating preventable harm at a time when rates of sexual violence remain deeply concerning across Aotearoa. Advocacy groups argue prevention programmes are already under pressure following a series of funding cuts and policy changes affecting violence-prevention services and relationships education.
The closure comes amid wider debate over the Government’s approach to family and sexual violence services, including the halting of ACC’s Hikitia! sexual violence prevention programme and changes to relationships and sexuality education guidelines in schools. Critics say the combined impact is reducing access to early intervention and culturally responsive education programmes.
Violence-prevention advocates warn education-based programmes are critical in reducing harmful behaviour, bullying, coercion and abuse among rangatahi. Research consistently shows early intervention and consent education play a major role in preventing long-term violence and improving community safety.
The Government has defended its broader review of violence-prevention funding, saying resources must be targeted effectively and services streamlined to achieve better outcomes. Ministers have previously indicated reviews are underway into the billions spent across family and sexual violence programmes nationwide.
Community organisations say the loss of specialist providers like RespectEd will leave major gaps in prevention work, particularly for young people and vulnerable communities already facing barriers to support.
#RadioWaatea #RespectEd #SexualViolencePrevention #MāoriNews #Aotearoa #FamilyViolence #ConsentEducation #NZPolitics #ViolencePrevention #CommunitySafety #TeAoMāori
