Stance softened on abuse victims

An article from the Wanganui Chronicle by Laurel Stowell

ACC has further softened its stance toward people who have been sexually abused, counsellor Fliss Newton says. She is one of just three ACC registered counsellors left in Wanganui. "They've made some changes, so that it's almost as good as it used to be," she said.
In October 2009, ACC changed its policy on "sensitive" claims, requiring clients to prove they had suffered "a diagnosed mental injury" before they got help. The result was long waiting lists, claims refusals and protests. In August last year, the policy was relaxed to allow new clients 16 hours' counselling while they were waiting to see if their claim was accepted.
Ms Newton said that for many, that was all the counselling they needed.
More changes have been announced this month. They follow an independent clinical review by a team that included former Mental Health Commissioner Dr Barbara Disley. The latest changes allow trained people rather than just psychologists to assess clients, and allow clients who have been assessed and had counselling to ask for another 16 sessions. They also let counsellors make less frequent and more open-ended reports on clients' progress, and give clients financial help and rehabilitation if they lose their jobs as a result of the abuse.
People whose claims were declined under the controversial October 2009 policy now have a chance to apply again. "They've made it a lot more user-friendly," Ms Newton said. But Ms Newton said there were still improvements to be made. "It can still take ages for people to get an assessment, and we are not sure how it will go for people who need really long-term counselling."

© APN News & Media Ltd 2011

http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/local/news/stance-softened-on-abuse-victims/3960923/