Anger forces ACC sex abuse review

An article from Hawkes Bay Today by Jolene Williams

Survivors of sexual abuse say changes to ACC funding have left them retraumatised after longer waits, more assessments and tighter controls on eligibility.
A Hastings registered psychotherapist Beverly Kearse said she used to receive "one or two" inquiries every week from victims of sexual abuse. That number had dropped to one or two a month.
Pathways programme is now under review by an independent panel, seven months after its implementation.
Under the changes, survivors of sexual abuse have to undergo two independent psychological assessments. Previously ACC accepted claims recommended by a range of providers including counsellors, psychotherapists and social workers. The changes introduced in October meant victims saw up to three different providers. The process delayed treatment and forced victims to relive their experience.
According to the New Zealand Psychological Society, assessments by multiple clinicians is "considered psychologically unsafe by many clients and may deter people from seeking help when they need it".
Criteria for mental injury was also more stringent and according to clinicians further dissuaded people who suffered from trauma from seeking treatment that required them to have a mental illness.
ACC-approved cases were down from 472 in the first two months of last year to 32 over the same period this year.
The new programme also saw counselling sessions drop from a maximum of 30 to 16. Victims required further assessment for additional sessions. Sarah Tait-Jamieson, a local registered psychotherapist, said 16 sessions were "barely enough" as treatment for sexual abuse victims was "very very slow".
National psychological bodies and victim-support groups have publicly criticised the changes.
Dr Kim McGregor, co-chair of National Sexual Violence network, said the rules had caused a "virtual collapse of sexual abuse counselling".
National media have reported cases where the new processes have had a catastrophic effect.
In April the New Zealand Herald reported an Auckland mother committed suicide four days after her claim for ACC-funded counselling was rejected on the grounds she did not suffer "significant mental injury". The woman had waited six months for the decision.
Clinical Pathways has put added pressure on psychological resources which, according to the New Zealand Psychological Society, were already scarce. As a result, survivors are waiting longer to receive treatment, often outside ACC's Sensitive Claims Unit aim to assess all claims within six weeks.
The changes were influenced by a four-year study by Massey University's School of Psychology.
ACC Minister Nick Smith said: "The driver for those changes has always been to provide survivors of sexual abuse or sexual assault who have a mental injury with a better level of assistance, and to help them achieve a more timely and successful recovery." Dr Smith proposed the review when the programme was launched to ensure ACC was "on the right track". He acknowledged the changes had caused controversy and stated they had never been about cost savings.
The review panel is expected to report back in July.

http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/local/news/anger-forces-acc-sex-abuse-review/3915616/