HELPING THOSE WHO HELP OTHERS
3 June 2009
Wellington Rape Crisis Centre is the proud new owner of a $4,000 photocopier which, amongst other things, will help the service produce resource packs for local women.
The copier, funded by NZCT (New Zealand Community Trust), replaces a “dinosaur” which is nearly a decade old. Centre manager Georgina Thompson, says that after years of “holding your breath and hoping it works”, it is a huge relief to finally have a reliable copier.
“We produce around 5 - 10 resources packs each week, which are put together for each client’s specific needs,” says Ms Thompson. “We don’t have any spare money, so photocopying books and other relevant resources is the most efficient way of putting together our packs.
“Although this new copier is an ex-lease, it’s light years better than the old one. We are so grateful to get it,” she says.
Wellington Rape Crisis Centre provides support and counselling for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. It offers a support line and drop-in centre during working hours, where women can receive support at a time that suits them.
As a non-profit organisation, the centre gets by on government grants and donations from charitable trusts, and it also raises funds via its annual street appeal – which this year will be held on 3 July.
The centre is part of the Wellington Sexual Abuse Network which is currently collaborating on an innovative Australian-developed prevention education programme called ‘Sex and Ethics’. This two year pilot, funded by the Ministry of Justice, begins in July and will provide sexual violence prevention education to 16-25 year olds in the Wellington region. The programme aims to give young people tools to negotiate non–violent, healthy and mutually respectful relationships.
“This approach is completely different from all the other prevention strategies we’ve used in the past 30 years,” says Georgina. “We are really excited about its potential to create change.”
In New Zealand, one girl in four is sexually abused before the age of 15 years (Fanslow, J. 2007), but the Police estimate they only see 12% of sexual assaults. Wellington Rape Crisis provides 400 – 600 support sessions each year for survivors of rape and sexual abuse and their support people.
NZCT Wellington Regional Advisory Committee Chairperson, Paul Elenio, says the trust is proud to support the Wellington Rape Crisis Centre and the good work it does.
“We know how important it was for them to get this vital piece of office equipment,” says Paul. “Something that seems so simple – like a photocopier - can make a huge difference to an organisation whose focus is not on making profits, but on helping others. We take our hats off to the staff there and wish them success with the new pilot.”
– Ends –
Last year alone NZCT distributed over $42m in grants to sports, community and cultural events and clubs throughout the country. NZCT is the largest funder of amateur sport in New Zealand, and we’re proud of it. This is why we’re known as the backbone of amateur sports in New Zealand.
We are proud of the difference we make in the community, which we can only do with the hard work of our venue operators and their staff in gaming venues around the country.
For further information/comment:
Georgina Thompson, Manager, Wellington Rape Crisis Centre, Tel: 473-5358
Paul Elenio, chair, NZCT Wellington Regional Advisory Committee. Tel: 0274 451-9968
For more information about NZCT:
· visit www.nzct.org.nz or
· email info@nzct.org.nz or
· call Mike Knell, Chief Executive, on 0800 44 69 28
