Advocates Launch Sexual Violence Prevention Scorecard to Drive Election 2026 Policy Conversation

Aotearoa’s specialist sexual violence sector is calling for greater political transparency and commitment as the 2026 election campaign intensifies. On 28 September 2026, Russell Smith, representing Te Ōhaakii ā Hine – National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAH-NNEST), spoke with Radio Waatea regarding the launch of a new Sexual Violence Prevention Scorecard designed to hold political parties accountable for their policy positions. The scorecard serves as a tool for the sector to identify critical policy gaps and evaluate whether political parties are prepared to provide the sustained resources necessary for community-led prevention. Te Ōhaakii ā Hine, which represents specialist services nationwide, plays a pivotal role in working alongside government agencies on crisis response, recovery, and long-term support systems. According to Smith, the current election cycle presents a vital opportunity to examine how political candidates intend to address one of the country’s most pressing social issues. The advocate warned that without proactive engagement, the conversation around sexual violence prevention risks being sidelined during the national campaign debate. The network is pushing for these issues to move from the margins to the centre of the political agenda. This advocacy work aligns with the ongoing efforts under Te Aorerekura, New Zealand’s national strategy to eliminate family and sexual violence. With a current action plan set to run through to 2030, the sector is focused on ensuring that whoever leads the next government remains committed to improving how services collaborate and support those affected by violence. As voting day approaches, the challenge remains for parties to demonstrate how they will support the specialists and community leaders who are leading this work across Aotearoa.