Wednesday 27 Mar 2002

The bureaucratic Accident Compensation Corporation treated a rape victim with contempt, and the Minister in charge is blaming the woman and her doctor for failing to fill out her ACC forms correctly.

Hawkes Bay ACT MP Donna Awatere Huata today slated Lianne Dalziel for failing to accept responsibility for ACC incompetence in the case of a woman raped by four men on March 1.

"Three weeks after the assault, this young solo mum still has black eyes. She can't continue her full-time job. She's called off her engagement. She urgently needs reconstructive surgery, counselling, and real help to put food on the table for her son.

"This young proud woman didn't want to go on a benefit, so she approached ACC to get help.

"ACC mucked up. The Government-run juggernaut admits her file got completely stalled amid horrendous bureaucracy.

"It wasn't until my office got involved that ACC managed to even access the case file. Now the woman is reduced to drawing a WINZ benefit until ACC can get its act together.

"Minister Lianne Dalziel has washed her hands of this case. The Minister is completely blaming the rape victim's doctor - and by extension, the victim - for failing to fill out some forms properly.

"What utter rot. Even if the complicated forms weren't correctly filled in, that's no excuse for ACC to sit on their behinds while a rape victim struggles.

"I expected far more from Ms Dalziel. Heaven knows this Government is willing to dish out money to convicted criminals and Mongrel Mob members.

"This crime ruined a young woman's life. ACC and the Minister are criminally insensitive," Mrs Awatere Huata said.

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