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Source: ONE News -
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A sexual abuse helpline threatened with closure has had a last minute reprieve after the Government decided to continue its funding.
The eleventh-hour victory comes on the day when funding was due to run out for Auckland Sexual Abuse Help, New Zealand's only 24-hour rape crisis hotline.
ACC cut funding for the helpline in 2009. It has since been funded by the Ministry of Health, the local DHB, the police, and the Ministry of Social Development.
A vigorous campaign run by Change.org to save the helpline spread through social media, managing to gain more than 7000 signatures.
Change.org said they were contacted by a government official who confirmed it has committed to continued funding for the next six months, and has pledged to work with the service to ensure a "sustainable service for the future".
Former researcher for the service, Kirsty McCully, who initiated the petition said she was delighted with the news.
"To get 7000 passionate Kiwis to sign the petition on Change.org in less than a week was just amazing," said McCully in a statement.
Hundreds of individuals posted messages on John Key's Facebook wall about the service, gaining attention from the media and leading to the Prime Minister being questioned on his plans for the centre at a press conference today.
"It is an incredible demonstration of people power and how communities can rally around issues they really care about," McCully said.
McCully said she was proud of everyone who played a role in saving the "critical public service".