Auckland sexual abuse victims will continue to have access to a critical 24-hour telephone support line in 2010, thanks to a government funding response.

The telephone support line, operated by the Auckland Sexual Abuse HELP foundation, provides confidential support, information and advice for a range of callers, including: sexual abuse survivors; concerned friends, family and members of the public; and helping professionals.

The service is available 24 hours to anyone needing help with sexual abuse issues and is well used by the community. In 2009 over 10,000 calls were made to the support line. Staffed by qualified professionals who are trained to recognise when someone is at risk, and to manage trauma symptoms, the 24-hour crisis line has been operating for 27 years.

The funding covers the deficit resulting from the cancellation of a contract with ACC for the Auckland telephone support service. Money from several government agencies has been combined to provide funding sufficient to maintain the service in its current format for 2010.

Kate Brady Kean, the foundation's Crisis Services Manager, said: "With the Christmas and New Year season approaching it's great to know we can keep offering support to community members who contact us."

"The summer season is a particularly high demand period, and the timely response from the Government means we can get on with providing essential care and advice to those in need."