Safe to Respond: strengthening disability workforce capability in sexual safety

Lead organisation:

Stop

Individuals with intellectual disability and neurodivergence are a vulnerable population whose sexual behaviours and expressions must be understood and responded to within the context of their disability, communication needs, and lived experiences. Disability support workers are often the first to notice emerging concerns and play a critical role in promoting both safety and healthy sexual development. This initiative will strengthen national workforce capability by developing a disability-specific capability framework and a suite of accessible online learning modules that equip support workers to recognise and respond confidently and proportionately to sexual safety concerns, including concerning and harmful sexual behaviour.

Co‑designed with disability providers and guided by a technical advisory group of harmful sexual behaviour specialists, sector leaders, and frontline practitioners, the framework will define the knowledge, skills, and ethical practice expectations needed for safe, rights‑based responses in everyday disability support settings.

The online modules will provide practical tools, shared language, and real‑world scenarios to support induction and ongoing professional development across residential and community services. With strong sector endorsement and partnerships across disability, youth, mental health, and social services, the project aims to build consistent, sustainable capability, strengthen early and proportionate responses, and improve safety, dignity, and wellbeing outcomes for tangata whaikaha nationwide.