Introduction

A focus of this second round of development was to expand the cultural reach of the guidelines through providing resources to increase the capability of services to respond appropriately to the cultural diversity of survivors using the services. While there is much general information available about the cultural competence needed to work with people from diverse cultures, there is little information available about working specifically with survivors of sexual violence.

Over the course of the project, we have come to think of this as inclusive practice, where this refers to responsiveness and cultural sensitivity to diversity.  These guidelines provide crucial information and knowledge of appropriate and safe practices (for frontline staff and services) to improve the experiences of victims/survivors from the following communities and cultures:

• Māori
• Pacific
• Men
• LGBTI+
• Muslim women
• People with disability
• Asian

Each Inclusive Practice guidelines section, representing a diverse community or cultural group, will be presented using the following format:

• Background Information – What we used to develop the guidelines
• Essential Knowledge – What we need to know
• Essential Practice – What we need to do
  • On the frontline
  • Crisis support services
  • Sector and community development
• Relevant references
  • Enhancing cultural competence
  • Other related research

We offer a mix of information to support the development of your knowledge.  While the guidelines and video interviews might draw your attention first, reading the report which sits behind the guidelines, in the Background Information section, will give you more complete information.

The guidelines are to provide background information, but do not detract from the principle of client centred practice.  Any person you are working with will bring their own unique needs – some people are well embedded in a particular culture, while others may live across multiple cultures depending on their circumstances – a Muslim woman with a disability, a gay male whose family is Māori and Asian.   You still need to listen to the person in front of you, but increased knowledge of culture/s might help you to better understand what they say. Cultural competence does not suggest treating all members of a cultural group in the same way. Rather, it presumes that difference and diversity between and within groups are valued, and acknowledges a positive integration of diversity, difference and multiculturalism within a system of care.