ACC about-turn for victims

Sexual abuse counsellor Bob Stevens says ACC has acknowledged a travesty of justice in announcing immediate reinstatement of counselling for victims.

From Monday, ACC's about-turn will give claimants 16 hours of counselling "to ensure their safety and wellbeing", spokeswoman Denise Cosgrove, of Wellington, said.

"The feedback I've had has been positive," Mr Stevens, New Plymouth, said yesterday.

"It's a small victory for common sense over bloody-mindedness – but at what expense for the anguish and misery it has caused victims."

The decision appears to have come from pressure from the ACC Sensitive Claims Clinical Review Panel.

The review panel was put in place by ACC Minister Nick Smith to look into ACC's methods of dealing with sexual abuse claimants after he was made aware of the large drop in claims since October when the tougher measures were put in place.

The panel was to report to the minister last month but has asked for an extension until next month.

In a statement, review panel chairwoman Dr Barbara Disley said ACC's decision this week went part way to addressing the panel's concerns.

The panel had met with the minister in early July telling him they were concerned that only half as many victims of sexual assault were applying for ACC support this year compared to last, Dr Disley said.

"And many who do apply are declined or face significant delays in getting support," she said.

"ACC's changes mean that from next week new victims or those with a new claim already in the system but awaiting a decision will be eligible to get immediate support and this begins to address the panel's concerns," Dr Disley said.

The panel would make no further comment and was to present its report next month, Dr Disley said.

Since October, ACC has required sexual abuse victims to be diagnosed with a psychiatric illness caused by the abuse.

The hard line was met with an outcry from Mr Stevens and others speaking out on behalf of sexual abuse victims across the country.

It has led to led to hundreds either not filing claims or being left in limbo waiting for decisions to be made.

At least one woman is suspected to have taken her own life.

Last year an angered Mr Stevens threatened to return his QSM, awarded for work with abuse victims.

Mr Stevens said ACC was wrong not to have first trialled the new system with a small number of people instead of causing misery to hundreds by running over everyone's advice.

- © Fairfax NZ News