It was just after Covid that Senior Constable Sue Guy and Sergeant Su Robinson left their Wāhine Toa programme – established in 2001 - in the capable hands of Hart, social worker Vanessa Gillespie, and youth worker Stacey Tito.
The Wāhine Toa programme was focused on improving the safety, education, well-being and self-esteem of sexual abuse survivors, and was replicated in other regions of New Zealand and Australia.
“When the police were doing it, they noticed lots of girls were coming through as victims of sexual assault,” Gillespie said.
“They felt helpless not having anywhere to send them for support, so they created a camp which was four days where experts would come in and talk to the girls.”
Now, the trio want to expand and continue to focus on the project fulltime.
They do it out of the goodness of their hearts for now in a volunteer capacity, all of them working permanent jobs to pay the bills while they work to create a safe space for those in need.
“We’ve got dribs and drabs to cover running costs and monthly activities, but at the moment, our time is voluntary. I work in a packhouse to pay my bills, and Stace is caregiving for her dad,” Gillespie said.
“The first two or three retreats were completely funded by us. Sometimes we were working out of our cars.”
Brave has been in its new permanent Hastings space since August last year, and its walls are already lined with artwork of young wāhine who have found a voice through their collegiality within the programme.
“It’s a nice way for the girls to be connected. It’s a different kind of connection because they have been through the same thing and can relate,” Gillespie said.
“About 12 to 24 is the age range we deal with, but particularly we get 14 to 18-year-olds. That is when you get the one-off sexual harm incidents and an age where they start talking about their childhood as well. It’s a huge transition.”
Tito said wraparound support and a place for inclusion were important in these situations.
Besides being a space to connect and hold workshops, the team also put people in touch with other social services and avenues of help.
“We can deliver all the content ourselves, and it’s flexible, so we can meet the needs of the girls,” Tito said.
“We understand that young people learn at their own pace and their own style.”
Accredited in 2022, the group still has a good relationship with police as well as ACC support. Local MP for Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd has also expressed interest in supporting Brave.
“We’ve got a fair bit of work ahead of us so we can get funding and be able to be employed here for the girls,” Hart said.
“To be able to dedicate ourselves to this, that’s our dream.”
- A launch ceremony with guest speakers will be held on Wednesday, January 24, from 9am-12pm at the Havelock North Function Centre for those interested in supporting Brave.
Sexual harm
Where to get help:
If it’s an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.If you’ve ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:• Call 0800 044 334• Text 4334• Email support@safetotalk.nz• For more info or to web chat visit safetotalk.nzAlternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.
If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it’s not your fault.
Mitchell Hageman joined Hawke’s Bay Today in late January. From his Napier base, he writes regularly on social issues, arts and culture, and the community. He has a particular love for stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
