Abuse survivors protest at Christchurch ACC office

Among the demands delivered to ACC were that the corporation should reform eligibility for coverage for abuse survivors, the need for immediate redress and an end to Government’s boot camps.

About two dozen survivors marched from the Bridge of Remembrance. A letter calling for change was delivered. The protestors, who entered the ACC office building, were accompanied by two horses.

Advocate Ken Clearwater said that survivors seeking ACC-funded care for trauma faced a six- to eight-month wait, and some had been denied coverage.

He cited the case of a person who had suffered abuse as a child by a Catholic priest.

A psychiatrist’s report said cover was declined, and that the sexual abuse was not connected to the mental injury in this case, the gathering was told.

Mr Clearwater questioned whether some of those making the assessments had the necessary and correct training to deal with the trauma suffered by abuse survivors, the Radio New Zealand report stated.

Survivors were also still being ignored and kept in the dark, despite the promises from Government ministers, agencies and politicians, Mr Clearwater said.

He described the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care as an “amazing document”, but he added that it is being ignored. Survivors needed immediate redress, he said.

“You spend 30 years talking about this stuff, but you don’t know who’s listening,” he said.

FULL STORY

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/542401/abuse-survivors-and-their-supporters-protest-for-acc-eligibility-change (Radio New Zealand)