TOAH-NNEST, as a national network of Sexual Violence agencies, opposes the new expectation of NGO contractors to supply MSD with individual client level data. The sharing of individual client data threatens to undermine what the Sexual Violence sector believes to be best practice in the sexual violence sector. TOAH-NNEST believes such information sharing will create huge barriers to access across all services. TOAH-NNEST asks the government and Minister Tolley to consider a collaborative and sustainable way forward to meet their goals.
TOAH-NNEST are not alone in raising these concerns. Working together with several social service networks, such as CommVoices, as well as our local agencies, the NGO sector are challenging MSD’s client data collection as a breach of personal privacy, a breach of professional codes of conduct and the privacy act itself.
Ms Lyons, Tauiwi National Manager, is concerned about the government’s lack of transparency and lack of clearly articulated purpose behind the data collection. Ms Lyons states that “there is real vagueness surrounding the implementation of MSD individual client data collection and many questions are left unanswered around safeguarding the data for some of our most vulnerable; those impacted by sexual violence in our communities and their children and families.”
Nga Kaitiaki Mauri spokesperson Ms Te Wiata says “The identifiable client data collection by MSD will have massive ripple effects on our prevention efforts, and hinder accessibility for whanau seeking help as victims of sexual violence as well as those who need to access services to address their harmful behaviour.”
TOAH-NNEST commends the brave position taken by The National Collective of Rape Crisis and Related groups of Aotearoa to not accept funding, if MSD require them to pass on individual client data. Unfortunately, not all agencies can make this call for their services during this highly insecure funding climate.
Tauiwi Caucus Chair, Ms Tai Rakena confirms “the network is seriously concerned about the future sustainability of the specialist sexual violence sector, should this requirement proceed.” Given the Government’s recent significant efforts to address the issue of Sexual Violence and in particular its under reporting, the requirement to share identifiable information is likely to seriously threaten progress.
TOAH-NNEST seeks to collaborate with local agencies and government to ensure services are funded and accessible throughout the country, while ensuring our communities right to privacy are maintained.
