Level 5 - Organisation 


This section focusses on the structure of Agencies and Organisations: their Board of Trustees, vision statements, strategies, policies and procedures.

Agencies and organisations that deliver SVP or SVPP services and activities need to be a Specialist Sexual Violence Service or have a proven, ongoing and collaborative relationship with an existing Specialist Sexual Violence Service. Involving people and organisations beyond the sexual violence sector in SVPP and SVP work widens its reach, and is to be encouraged. However, unless everyone is working at the same level of integrity, there’s a risk of potential harm (see Principle 6). This section of the framework takes this concern into account.

Capabilities that assist agencies and organisations to develop the highest standards in service delivery, community resources and workforce culture are:


Treaty-Based relationships with Tangata Whenua

Agencies and organisations can support SVPP and SVP services and activities by:

  • recognising and enacting Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the constitution/foundational documents of the organisation

  • having organisational structures and practices in place that support relationships with local and/or national Māori authorities and experts

  • having organisational structures and practices that enhance mana for Māori staff

  • developing SVP and SVPP activities that directly or indirectly reduce inequities in health for Tangata Whenua

  • supporting staff to access training and cultural supervision on learning Te Reo and about the history of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Kawa

  • promoting and advocating for Kaupapa Māori services


Specialist knowledge about the dynamics, impact and prevention of sexual violence

Agencies and organisations can support SVPP and SVP services and activities by:

  • making sure the organisation has relationships with specialist sexual violence services and explores ways to provide joint training and staff development

  • committing to professional development for staff that enhances specialisation within the workforce

  • stating the organisation’s commitment to SVPP and SVP in core documents (e.g. Vision, Mission, Strategic Plan)


Empowering and collaborative practices

Agencies and organisations can support SVPP and SVP services and activities by:

  • participating in community collaborations and relationships

  • pursuing joint funding for prevention activities


The welfare and wellbeing of participants is paramount

Agencies and organisations can support SVPP and SVP services and activities by:

  • aligning the organisation’s disclosure policy with the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014

  • including the ability to shape and monitor clear processes and lines of accountability into the agency’s disclosure document

  • implementing efficient documentation regimes and storage processes

  • having recruitment processes for staff that align with all relevant legislation

  • have sound screening, monitoring and mentoring processes to ensure people working in the community are safe and work in appropriate ways


Culturally informed and inclusive practices

Agencies and organisations can support SVPP and SVP work by:

  • developing SVP and SVPP activities that recognise the inequalities experienced by marginalised groups in society, and actively address them

  • form and maintain relationships with community organisations and the communities they operate in to develop collaborative prevention activities


Sustainable practices and ongoing professional-personal development

Agencies and organisations can support SVPP and SVP services and activities by:

  • making access to training and supervision part of all staff contracts

  • having systems in place that encourage continuous improvement, including feedback processes and evaluation that helps the organisation learn and develop as a whole

  • having workplace bullying prevention strategies in place to create and support healthy working environments