Domestic violence files left behind in the Relationships Aotearoa offices in Christchurch. When Relationships Aotearoa closed so rapidly last month, serious concerns were raised about vulnerable clients still on its books. It appears these concerns were valid.
 | Last week I was shown through the now-empty Christchurch office that was tenanted by Relationships Aotearoa. There were dozens of boxes containing thousands of personal files. |
Dozens of boxes containing personal client files, left behind when Relationships Aotearoa closed.
The building had been vacated leaving the files, computers, furniture and even the dirty dishes from what appeared to be their farewell drinks.
Kitchen of the now empty Relationships Aotearoa offices in Christchurch.
Files abandoned in the unsecured building belong to people who were victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, distressed children, court-ordered counselling and people coping with earthquake stress. It appeared the files related to people in the Canterbury and South Canterbury areas. I do not know how widespread the problem is across New Zealand.
The photos speak for themselves but it remains murky as to why no privacy transition plan or document shredding plan was put in place.
The photos speak for themselves but it remains murky as to why no privacy transition plan or document shredding plan was put in place.
Box labelled "Confidential yet obsolete. To be distroyed (sic)"
Talks were held between the Ministry of Social Development and Relationships Aotearoa but these fell apart.
The Ministry’s deputy chief executive of community investment, Murray Edridge said Relationships Aotearoa had been “uncooperative” and was spreading "mischievous nonsense".
Labour's social development spokeswoman Carmel Sepuloni said the closure would raise privacy issues. It appears she was correct.
The Ministry’s deputy chief executive of community investment, Murray Edridge said Relationships Aotearoa had been “uncooperative” and was spreading "mischievous nonsense".
Labour's social development spokeswoman Carmel Sepuloni said the closure would raise privacy issues. It appears she was correct.
Ministry of Justice files.
On a personal note, I am sorry if this causes distress to people who have used the service and fear their files were left in the open. However, I believe this kind of privacy breach must be exposed so it doesn’t happen again.
UPDATE: As I understand it, the exterior doors of the building were unlocked but the particular office in which these boxes were was a locked room. When I went to the building on Tuesday July 28 (weeks after RA was closed), that office door was unlocked as receivers were due to pick the files up. These files should still have been secured somewhere off-site. The offices are on a busy corner of Christchurch in a city where abandoned buildings are home to rough sleepers, especially since the quakes. Anyone could have knocked the door in. I believe the process of RA's closure and handover was done in haste which is why these kinds of things can occur.
Anyone needing assistance can ring the Lifeline Helpline on 0800 543 354
UPDATE: As I understand it, the exterior doors of the building were unlocked but the particular office in which these boxes were was a locked room. When I went to the building on Tuesday July 28 (weeks after RA was closed), that office door was unlocked as receivers were due to pick the files up. These files should still have been secured somewhere off-site. The offices are on a busy corner of Christchurch in a city where abandoned buildings are home to rough sleepers, especially since the quakes. Anyone could have knocked the door in. I believe the process of RA's closure and handover was done in haste which is why these kinds of things can occur.
Anyone needing assistance can ring the Lifeline Helpline on 0800 543 354
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