An agreement signed in October between agencies and organisations across the Waikato aims to formalise the care, protection and support for the victims of sexual assault.

Criminal Investigations district manager detective inspector Chris Page says the Local Level Agreement (LLA) will ensure the effectiveness of the interagency and multidisciplinary service delivered to victims of sexual abuse.

From left: Detective inspector Chris Page, Victim Support's Maggie Crossan, CAPS Hauraki's Jo Taylor, Anglesea Clinic's Andrew Campus, CAPS Hauraki's Rachel Harrison, and Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care's Dr Vasanthi Bradley. Photo: Police

Signatories to the LLA include Police, the Waikato District Health Board, Anglesea Clinic, Doctors For Sexual Abuse Care, Victim Support, and Child Abuse Prevention Services Hauraki (CAPS-Hauraki).

Chris explains it has been recognised that people who are victims of sexual abuse need access to services that provide a coordinated response and approach.

'By police, medical practitioners providing assessment and treatment services and those providing crisis and victim support.

'Waikato is already recognised as a national leader in the field of interagency support for sexual assault victims. This LLA provides an avenue to recognise and refresh formalised local arrangements.”

This schedule promotes the delivery of nationally consistent and sustainable medical sexual abuse assessment and treatment services identified in the national service schedule developed by Police, ACC and the Ministry of Health.

Chris says it's also acknowledged that the medical component of sexual abuse services is an important part of a tripartite approach.

It cannot work in isolation to other important services such as police's investigative role, crisis support and counselling, adds Chris.

'All the signatories of the agreement are committed to ensuring victims of sexual assault are afforded the best level of care, service and support they need.

'The LLA will ensure this. It's about continuously improving what are already highly regarded partnerships into even better ones.”