Review of ACC's sex abuse policy

An article from the Taranaki Daily News by Lyn Humphreys

An independent review into ACC's controversial new assessment process for sexual abuse victims has been welcomed by those at the coalface.
ACC Minister Nick Smith announced this week that an independent clinical review panel had been appointed to investigate the guidelines put in place in October to manage sexual abuse victims' claims.
The new system, which requires the abused person to be suffering from a mental illness diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist, incensed many professionals working in the field.
They predicted that the sexually abused, who were not mentally ill but traumatised, would not meet the new criteria and they would no longer come forward for help to restore their lives. Those predictions appear to have been valid.
Dr Smith revealed this week that ACC figures show just 32 sexual abuse claims for counselling were approved in the first two months of this year compared with 472 in January and February 2009.
Dr Smith said he had been hesitant to interfere in clinical decisions but conceded that the changes had been controversial.
"That is why I have initiated this independent clinical review to ensure best possible practice in this sensitive area," he said.
One of the most outspoken against the new regime has been Taranaki's experienced sexual abuse counsellor, Bob Stevens.
Last year he threatened to return his Queen's Service Medal in protest.
Mr Stevens challenged Dr Smith's claim of best practice.
"I believe the minister is being obtuse and it almost smacks of deceit," Mr Stevens said.
"How can he suggest best clinical practice for sexual abuse when the claims aren't being accepted? Since when did you become mentally unwell following a sexual assault?"
Mr Stevens said none of the people who had come to him since October for counselling for sexual abuse had been accepted by ACC.
One, a man who was severely depressed and in obvious need of immediate help, was still waiting after five months for ACC support, Mr Stevens said.
"Children, adolescents and adults are being denied what I believe is their right under the legislation. It is being denied them under a reinterpretation of the law that has been their right since 1974 [when ACC was first established]," Mr Stevens said.
Dr Smith has appointed Mental Health Commissioner Barbara Disley to lead the review accompanied by clinical psychologist Clive Banks, consultant Ruth Herbert and psychiatrist Professor Graham Mellsop.
Mr Stevens asked why there was no professional appointed to the review panel that was doing coalface sexual abuse work.
"Who is better qualified to talk about the stresses they are meeting at the coalface doing the work? But they are not represented."You are going to get a clinical academic view that is devoid of the human impact on those who have been abused."
A spokesman for Dr Smith said the panel's task was to assess the implementation and impact of ACCs new clinical pathway for sensitive claims. It was impossible for the panel to include representatives of every perspective, the spokesman said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/3635822/Review-of-ACCs-sex-abuse-policy