After plenty of public rallying, the Government has ensured a vital sexual abuse crisis helpline will not go under.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has arranged interim funding for Auckland Sexual Abuse Helpline, and says the Government has also committed to negotiating a three year contract.
The helpline says if planned government funding cuts had gone through, thousands would have been stranded without specialist crisis support - at what is unfortunately one of the busiest times of year for rape crisis services.
Crisis services manager Aimee Stockenstroom says the team is relieved.
"We can reassure our community that when they phone us, someone will be on the other end of the line to answer."
