8 October 2009

Media Statement

ACC must go back to drawing board on sexual abuse counselling changes

Opposition to ACC plans to change sexual abuse counselling practices is mounting and damaging the credibility of the agency and a two week delay is not good enough - it must revisit the plans, says Labour's Victims Rights spokesperson Lynne Pillay.

“The changes were due to be introduced next week and have now been deferred again – this time by two weeks. But what is needed is a complete rethink.
“Sexual abuse counsellors around the country are outraged and significant numbers of them have signalled they will stop doing ACC-funded work because they believe the new guidelines will restrict access to counselling and re-victimise people in the process.

“They are also angry about ACC’s sham consultation process. The Sensitive Claims Advisory Group was not consulted and ACC has only just agreed to a proper meeting with the group – but only after the release of the new guidelines, which adds to the farce,”Lynne Pilllay says.

“ACC says the door is open, but minds are clearly closed!”
“ACC is already facing questions about how it has allowed significant delays in processing sexual abuse claims to occur and has also been criticised by the Privacy Commissioner and Rape Crisis over the invasive forms it requires claimants to sign.

“The agency’s credibility has taken a hammering and the ACC Minister should intervene and demand a rethink.

“Up to 700 sexual abuse claims are lodged a month and the public won’t tolerate such shoddy treatment from a Government that claims to stand up for victims of crime,” says Lynne Pillay.

ENDS

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