Sexual Abuse Care across Canterbury and the west coast
Cambridge
Clinic
He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka
A choppy sea can be navigated
Welcome to the
cambridge clinic
If you have been sexually assaulted, we are here to help YOU.
The Cambridge Clinic is a specialist medical service. We can support you, or someone you know (13 years and over) who has been sexually assaulted or abused, either recently or in the past.
YOU are in control every step of the way. As well as medical services such as emergency contraception and STI screening and prevention, we can also provide you with practical and emotional support.
Our services are FREE
The Cambridge Clinic is a non judgemental service for absolutely everyone, regardless of your gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, or residential status.
WE are here for YOU.
Our caring and specially trained staff provide medical and forensic assessments.
If you need support or assistance beyond what we offer, we will refer you to other agencies that can help you.
Get Help
Are you safe right now?
If you are in danger and need help now ring 111. Ask for the police and tell them where you are.
Do you need immediate medical help?
If you need medical help now ring 111. Ask for an ambulance and tell them where you are.
About The cambridge clinic
We know what happened to you is not your fault and you are not alone. Our doctors and nurses are highly trained to provide specialised care and support for anyone who has been sexually abused recently, or in the past.
With compassion, confidentiality and absolutely no judgement, our team provides sexual assault medical and forensic care. We are specialists and have done training with the national organisation, Medical Sexual Assault Clinicians Aotearoa (MEDSAC).
Our Cambridge Clinic case worker supports young people to give them any additional support they may need.
We work alongside the AVIVA Sexual Violence Sexual team, who provide 24/7 sexual assault crisis support and ongoing assistance.
Providing support across Canterbury and the West Coast
Our service spans Canterbury and West Coast regions. There are similar services operating throughout New Zealand, the MEDSAC website will help you find your nearest sexual assault medical service.
Safe to talk
Safe to Talk is a 24/7 sexual harm helpline offering free, confidential contact with trained specialists. They can help connect you to support services (including the Cambridge Clinic) in your community. You can contact them by phone, online chat, text or email.
Questions
It’s normal to have questions, here are some of the basics, but if you have any other questions at all, contact us.
What is sexual assault/abuse/rape?
Sexual assault or abuse is when someone makes you do something sexual when you don’t want to. Some examples of sexual assault or abuse are:
- Unwanted kissing or touching
- Unwanted rough or violent sexual activity
- Someone putting their fingers, their penis or other object into your body
- Refusing to use condoms or restricting someones access to contraception
- Keeping someone from protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Sexual contact with someone who is very drunk, drugged, unconscious or otherwise unable to give a clear and informed ‘yes’ or ‘no’
- Threatening someone into unwanted sexual activity
- Repeatedly pressuring someone to have sex or perform sexual acts
- Repeatedly using sexual insults toward someone
- Someone showing you pictures of people having sex, someone showing you their body or making you show them your body
Whether the accused is a stranger, acquaintance, spouse, or friend is irrelevant.
SEXUAL CONTACT OR BEHAVIOUR THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON’T WANT IT IS NEVER OK.
What is drug facilitated sexual assault?
DFSA is the term used to describe any type of sexual harm that occurs whilst the person is either drunk or intoxicated with alcohol and/or drugs. It doesn’t matter whether you took the alcohol or drugs voluntarily, or unknowingly (as in “drink spiking”): either way, it is NEVER OK for anyone to have sexual contact with you without your consent, whatever the circumstances. For further information see here.
Questions you may have about assessments after a recent sexual assault
How do I get an appointment? What are my choices? Who can come with me? There are many questions you may have when considering an examination following a sexual assault. See here for more information.
Questions you may have about assessments after a past sexual assault
What services are available for a past sexual assault? When and where will the appointment take place? There are many questions you may have when considering an examination following a past sexual assault. See here for more information.
What happens when I talk to the police about my options?
New Zealand police sexual assault webpage
www.police.govt.nz/advice/sexual-assault
This brochure from the police tells you what happens when you report a sexual assault.
www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/victims-sexual-assualt-booklet.pdf
New Zealand police have developed a series of videos that take a step-by-step look at what happens when a person talks with them about their options after a sexual assault.
http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/sexual-assault/video-resources-0
The Victims Information website helps victims of sexual violence make informed choices about talking to the police and providing support through the court process
How do I get counselling?
You can find information about ACC-funded counselling after sexual assault at
To find an ACC registered counsellor use the ‘find a therapist’ search tool and choose your location.
Professionals
Attached is the Cambridge Clinic Medical Assessment referral form.
For up-to-date guidelines on managing recent or previously undisclosed sexual assault in adults, children and young people, please consult Canterbury Health Pathways. You can find our guidelines under ‘Medical’ and then ‘Assault or abuse’ menus.
For a printable version of the Cambridge Clinic brochure click here.
We are always keen to hear from doctors and nurses who want to know more about becoming part of the Cambridge Clinic team.
If you are interested in possible employment at the Cambridge Clinic click here.
Contact us
Our team provides a 24 hour on-call service for urgent medical and forensic assessments, but there is not always someone at our clinic site.
If you need urgent police or medical services ring 111.
The quickest way to get an examination after a sexual assault is to phone Christchurch Police urgently on 03 363 7400.
For non urgent matters contact us at:
Cambridge Clinic
119 Bealey Avenue
Christchurch
8013
Phone: 03 366 0067
Fax: 03 366 5448
Email: office@cambridgeclinic.co.nz
If you would like somebody from our service to give you a call during office hours please complete the callback request form with your details. This form can be used by existing patients of the Cambridge Clinic or new patients, but following an acute sexual assault the quickest way to get an assessment is to phone Christchurch Police on 03 363 7400.
Feedback: At the Cambridge Clinic, we always appreciate your suggestions, compliments or complaints about the care we have provided. We are glad to have been able to support you and would appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us. Please complete this feedback form so that we can ensure we provide the best possible care and support. Your feedback is anonymous, and no identifiable data will be released. However, if you wish to discuss your comments with a member of our staff, or to receive a personal reply, please include your name and contact information.