The MEDSAC manual
The MEDSAC manual for the forensic, therapeutic and medical management of sexual assault and non-fatal strangulation and/or suffocation is an up-to-date online resource for health professionals who provide care to people affected by sexual assault and abuse, and non-fatal strangulation and/or suffocation.
The manual brings current local and international thinking in sexual assault and NFSS medicine together into one place, and supplements our training courses. We update it regularly as new knowledge and research becomes available.
The manual is available to all MEDSAC affiliates and associates, and can be accessed through our membership portal.
Training and education
We provide comprehensive training for clinicians working in Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment Services (SAATS) and Non-fatal Strangulation and Suffocation Assessment Services (NFSSAS) across the motu.
SAATS and NFSSAS affiliates and associates can access our online training programmes through our learning management system. Our education programmes include things like:
our initial therapeutic medical and forensic training (ITFT) programme,
rainbow: supporting takatāpui and rainbow survivors training, and
intimate partner violence training.
Alongside our training programmes, we run quarterly drop-in meetings online where the community can raise questions, concerns, and give us constructive feedback about our organisation and initiatives. The feedback we get during these sessions helps us shape the direction of our organisation to ensure we're meeting the needs of our community effectively.
Learn more about our education and training options
Accreditation and mentoring
MEDSAC accreditation is Aotearoa New Zealand’s recognised qualification for sexual assault and non-fatal strangulation and/or suffocation (NFSS) examiners. All MEDSAC affiliates are eligible to join our accreditation and mentoring programme.
Our accreditation pathway will support you to build your skills and knowledge over time, and as an affiliate you’ll get access to all the tools, resources and support that we provide. You’ll also be able to join our mentoring programme, where you’ll be supported through the accreditation process by an existing MEDSAC accredited clinician.
Find out more about our accreditation and mentoring programme
Practical support
We coordinate a Medical Expert Review Group (MERG), which provides support to Aotearo New Zealand-based sexual assault medical forensic examiners. Our MEDSAC affiliates get access to:
resources and templates to support your formal statement writing
expert peer review of your formal statements
an NFSS formal statement workshop.
We also:
provide resources and support to help you prepare for attending court
offer clinical advice – MEDSAC affiliates can ask our clinical advisors questions and get advice on case-specific clinical matters related to sexual assault/abuse and NFSS.
MEDSAC affiliates can also vote on the appointment or removal of MEDSAC trustees.
Forums
We manage several online forums where our affiliates and associates can get direct peer-to-peer support and advice when needed.
We have:
a Lead Clinicians’ discussion forum – this forum is available to all members of the clinical leadership teams at Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment Services (SAATS) and Non-fatal Strangulation and Suffocation Assessment Services (NFSSAS). It provides them with a way to stay connected and discuss the topics and issues relevant to their work
a Contract Managers and Administrators forum – a discussion forum available to contract managers and administrators within SAATS and NFSSAS.
Publications
We regularly produce two online publications for all our affiliates and associates.
MEDSAC News informs our community about news and important issues relating to the care of people affected by sexual assault and NFSS.
Our Adult and Paediatric Journal Club publications keep the community informed about relevant research and international best practice in sexual assault and NFSS forensic medicine, as applied to the Aotearoa New Zealand setting.
Service Directory
We provide a SAATS and NFSSAS service directory that gathers together the details of all clinics across the motu. This is available online to everyone, but affiliates and associates can also find contact details for staff at each service.
Become part of the MEDSAC community
If you’re a doctor, nurse or allied professional working in the specialist area of sexual assault or non-fatal strangulation and/or suffocation, we’d welcome your application to join our community.