Your Privacy is Important to Us
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SSWT video about your privacy
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We know that reaching out for awhi (support) can be a big move, and we want to assure you that your privacy is of the utmost importance to the SSWT team.
Put simply, when you engage with the SSWT pilot, your rights to confidentiality and privacy are exactly the same as the rights held by clients of any other health or mental health service in Aotearoa New Zealand. |
Legal Exceptions to Privacy
Under New Zealand law there are some exceptions to privacy that it is important you are aware of.
For example, the Privacy Act 2020 and Health Information Privacy Code 2020 apply to our work.
As psychologists, we are also guided by the New Zealand Psychologists’ Board Code of Ethics 2002. These documents outline limited situations where health services’ client information may need to be shared with others, for example, when sharing the information is necessary to prevent serious harm.
At SSWT, we are clear that thoughts, fantasies, and urges do not equal behaviour.
Therefore, simply experiencing sexual attraction to children/young people does not equate to a serious threat – so confidentiality applies.
For example, the Privacy Act 2020 and Health Information Privacy Code 2020 apply to our work.
As psychologists, we are also guided by the New Zealand Psychologists’ Board Code of Ethics 2002. These documents outline limited situations where health services’ client information may need to be shared with others, for example, when sharing the information is necessary to prevent serious harm.
At SSWT, we are clear that thoughts, fantasies, and urges do not equal behaviour.
Therefore, simply experiencing sexual attraction to children/young people does not equate to a serious threat – so confidentiality applies.
At the other end of the scale, if you were to share information about ongoing or imminent physically or sexually abusive behaviour towards others, or information about a serious risk of harm to yourself, that information may need to be shared with someone who would be able to prevent it (e.g., police).
In a situation like this, provided it was safe to do so, your SSWT therapist would discuss this with you first.
We will be pleased to provide further information and answer any additional questions you may have in relation to confidentiality and privacy. Your options for getting in touch can be found here.
In a situation like this, provided it was safe to do so, your SSWT therapist would discuss this with you first.
We will be pleased to provide further information and answer any additional questions you may have in relation to confidentiality and privacy. Your options for getting in touch can be found here.
The SSWT Pilot Evaluation Study
As a consenting participant in the SSWT pilot evaluation study, your assessment and therapy information will be included anonymously in a research database, and analysed at the end of the study along with other participants’ information.
This is so that we can find out whether SSWT is helping as intended. The research database being anonymous means that no information that could identify you personally will be included.
More information about SSWT research can be found here.
This is so that we can find out whether SSWT is helping as intended. The research database being anonymous means that no information that could identify you personally will be included.
More information about SSWT research can be found here.
Your Rights
Click here to read the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights.
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