Tangata whenua: we acknowledge the aspirations of Tangata whenua that are contained and articulated within the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We are committed to providing culturally appropriate services to our community. Client-centred: we work from an inclusive position that values victim/survivors, listens to their stories and learns from their experiences. We uphold the need to support and empower victim/survivors and improve their situation. Feminist perspective: We seek to understand and address structural causes of inequality in our society and to work towards the elimination of sexual violence and abuse within our community. Collaboration: we understand the importance of working together with other agencies to develop comprehensive responses to sexual violence. We seek to maintain beneficial relationships with service providers. Education and prevention: we believe that all women, children and men have the right to live in safety and to be free from sexual abuse. We believe that the education of women, children and men and our communities is a positive step towards addressing sexual violence in our community. Integrity: We work with passion, commitment and integrity towards the establishment of just responses to victim/survivors of sexual assault and a community free of sexual violence.
History of Southland Help | RAASC : Rape and Abuse Support Center 1981 The Rape and Abuse Support Centre was established in 1981 as a telephone service staffed by volunteers working from their own homes. Back then it was called the Womens' Supportline and they dealt with a broad range of issues such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, health issues, and general information pertinent to women. 1984 The Womens' Support Line joins the National Collective of Rape Crisis and other related groups in New Zealand. This entitled the organisation to receive a small annual grant. 1985 The agency became an Incorporated Society, and continued to work collaboratively with other agencies such as Invercargill Womens' Refuge and the Southland Women's Resource Centre, where the service began to offer face to face assistance. 1992 After much hard work and fundraising by the volunteer members, the house in Nelson Street is purchased. 2008 The name change to Rape and Abuse Support Centre Southland Inc. in support of the focus being on abuse and sexual violence, followed by the restructuring and move away from the collective structure to membership within the wider community under the Society Membership. 2015 The name is rebranded as Southland Help... 33 years on RAASC continues to provide essential services to survivors of rape and sexual abuse and their family and friends. 2016 Our new premises in 225 Tweed Street.
Sue Centre Manager
I am the Manager of the Centre and am enjoying back in Invercargill. I have had a long involvement with the community sector, from managing and administering organisations to being on allocation funding committees and governance boards. I am passionate about the best outcome for the client. It is a privilege to be working for an organisation that has made such an impact in the community. I am qualified in Not-for-Profit Management and look forward to working with the board and staff to lead this organisation into the future. An organisation is only as good as the client delivery it gives and I am grateful for the team who provide the service delivery to enable our clients to make a difference in their lives.
Grad. Dip. NFP
Adriene Practice Leader
Nga Mihi Mahana Kia Koutou Mania te Maunga Mataatua te Waka Takahiwai te Awa me te Marae Ngati Whatua me Ngati Pukenga nga Hapu Nga Puhi te Iwi Adriene Pitman Toku ingoa. Born and bred in Nelson, I came to Southland in 2006. I attained my Social and Community Work Diploma in 2007 from the University of Otago and have 8 years statutory casework experience in Child Protection and Family work and also Youth Justice within the Ministry of Social Development. I attained my certificate of Competency with the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers in 2006 and my certificate of registration with NZ Social Workers Registration Board in 2007. I worked in Sydney as a Residential Youth Worker in Out Of Home Care placements in 2012–2014 until returning to Southland. In 2015 I completed Certificates in Abundance Coaching and Life Coaching with New Zealand Life Coaching. As Practice Manager at Southland Help I look forward to developing relationships with relevant community and government agencies.
Diploma in Social and Community Work
Victoria Sexual Violence Social Worker
I have relocated to Invercargill from the Waikato to continue to follow my passion of strengthening and empowering individuals and family/whanau to fulfil their true potential, to validate their experiences, restore safety and wellbeing/mauri ora. I am privileged to have worked as Senior Statutory Advocate for the Health & Disability Commissioner of NZ to promote and protect the rights of Health & Disability Consumers through facilitation, education and training delivery and have an extensive background as a specialist Family Violence Social Worker and Manager of Women’s Refuge. I hold qualifications in Child Protection Studies and Suicide Intervention and am an experienced crisis interventionist and inclusive practitioner. I look forward to facilitating positive healing, empowerment, and social change for those affected by sexual violence in Southland through a familial and community collaborative approach.
Diploma in Social Services (Social Work)
Stephen ACC Counsellor
I am an Otago local but have worked all over Otago and Southland in my 20+ years as a counsellor. I specialise in the areas of abuse and intimate partner violence and work with individuals, couples and families. I am in Invercargill every second week, based with Southland Help while in Invercargill.
BA, MEd(Couns), PG Dip(Couns), MNZPsS
Susana ACC Counsellor
I have been involved with Southland Help for the past 6 years, and led the organisation for almost 4 years. I have been working in the social service sector in a variety of roles and settings since gaining my social work qualification, and particularly enjoy the healing and empowerment aspects of social change work with individuals, families and more recently leading social work practitioners. It is an honour to be part of an organisation whose primary focus is enhancing well being for those who have experienced sexual abuse and trauma, and to work with staff who are passionate, and dedicated to bring best practice solutions to people needing this specialist service.
BA, PGDipSocS, MANZASW
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) We are current suppliers of the new ISSC pathway (Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims), with five staff accredited to provide ACC counselling and social work services.
Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) We have ongoing support from this community funding scheme to assist with operations, and maintaining a free service for the Southland community.
Community Trust of Southland We are supported by the Community Trust of Southland, to support operational management and overheads. We are grateful to the ongoing support of the Southland community in investing in a free specialist sexual violence service for the community.
Invercargill Licensing Foundation We appreciate the ongoing financial contribution from ILT Foundation is assisting with our organisations financial management and operational costs. With this support are organisation has become robust and expanded services.
Invercargill Licensing Trust We are supported by the ILT Trust to fundraise, and increase revenue for the centre, which is gratefully received.
Lottery Grants Board Every year we are grateful to receive grants from Lottery to that enables our free services to be maintained and managed effectively. Partnership with the Funding Advisors has enabled our service to expand and meet growing service demand.
Patricia France Charitable Trust Our partnership with Patricia France has been long standing – and we are very grateful for the support of this Trust over the years in securing foundations for the service.
Rotary Club of Invercargill We have been grateful to receive the support of Rotary as benefactors of the Wild Food Festival, and other donations in kind received over the years, including mentoring support. Its great to learn alongside the business and humanitarian efforts of Southland people.
