Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Adult Programme FAQs

Does the Programme work?
Yes. Research both in New Zealand and overseas consistently shows that people who complete a specialist treatment programme are twice as likely to stop sexually offending than people who do not complete treatment.

What does the Programme involve?

A full intake assessment

A 12 month programme encompassing:

• Weekly group therapy
• Individual counselling
• Family and couple counselling
• Three monthly system review meetings
• One to two weekend workshop
• Education programme for their support people

What does the Programme cost?

Adults required to attend by the courts or the Parole Board are fully funded by the Community Probation Service national contract. 

Adults who are not required to attend but who are referred by Child Youth and Family Services or who self refer are partially funded by CYFS. However such clients also contribute to the cost of their treatment. This is currently set on a sliding scale with those earning over $65,000 per year expected to make a higher contribution, with those who are unwaged making the minimum contribution.

Youth Programme FAQs

Who attends the SAFE Youth Programme?

Children and young people aged between 10-17 years.  They may have sexually abused in ways that include peeping, obscene exposure (flashing), stealing underwear, genital touching, oral sex or rape, or internet child pornography offenses.  Early intervention is the most successful way of stopping this behaviour.

Does the Programme work?

Typically, fewer than 10 percent of young people who have completed a treatment programme repeat their sexually harmful behaviour.  Studies have shown that young people who do not complete a treatment programme are around 13 percent more likely to repeat their sexually harmful behaviour than those who have completed a treatment programme.

Click here to download research paper "Impacts of programmes for adolescents who sexually offend"
Nisbet, I., Rombouts, S., & Smallbone, S. (2005), New South Wales Department of Community Services.

What does the Programme involve?

A comprehensive individual and family assessment

A twelve to eighteen month specialised treatment programme encompassing:

• Individual counselling
• Family Therapy
• Group Work
• Wilderness Experience therapy
• Social Work support to meet their wider social needs

The treatment programmes are specifically designed to assist youth to reduce the risk of re-abusing by addressing among other things:

• The lifestyle problems that led to their sexually abusive behaviour
• Stopping inappropriate sexual thought patterns
• Developing victim empathy

Copyright © 2008, SAFE Network Incorporated (an Incorporated Society)
PO Box 8726, Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone 09 377 9898 • Fax 09 377 9229 • email  info@safenz.org