Star reader Joy Hayward writes: "Since ACC changed its criteria in October 2009, the number of people seeking therapy has significantly dropped and the number of people turned down for therapy has significantly risen. What measures will your party take to ensure that victims of sexual abuse have the opportunity to receive therapy to enable their recovery from abuse?"© Allied Press Limited 2011
RESPONSES
"The National Government's decision to restrict access to the ACC scheme has severely impacted the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. This has made it hard for many people to get support services for sensitive claims. Labour will improve the medical assessment and vocational independence processes so there is a fair, balanced and consistent approach to assessing claims. Labour will review National's changes to the ACC scheme."
Clare Curran
MP and Labour candidate for Dunedin South
"'Health is a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease.' (World Health Organisation) Health focuses not just on te taha tinana (physical) but also te taha wairua (spiritual), te taha hinengaro (mental and emotional) and te taha whanau (social - family and community) and the interconnectedness of these dimensions. Sexual abuse is something that affects its victims in all those areas, so we will ensure that victims of sexual abuse will receive treatment by directing ACC to do so."
Shane Gallagher
Green candidate for Dunedin South
"ACC's role is to help support victims, and those who have suffered a mental injury under Act as a result of a rape or sexual abuse are still entitled to make claims. However, the failing of a public system like ACC is that the demands on it are often greater than its resources, and it is difficult to target the right services to the right people. Opening up ACC to competition would ensure providers are better able to give the services we require."
Kim Hannah
Act candidate for Dunedin South
"New Zealand First ACC policy will ensure that the victims of violent crime are appropriately covered by ACC and the health system. One of our 15 fundamental principles states that health will cease to be a balance-sheet item and health will be a critical investment in New Zealand's human resource."
Randall Ratana
New Zealand First candidate for Dunedin South
"The Alliance would make sure that everyone who sustains an injury, whether physical or psychological, receives the treatment they need to enable their recovery. We have anecdotal evidence that many people with a range of injuries have not received appropriate treatment due to ACC cost cutting. However, the Alliance is also concerned with the discrepancy in treatment for people who are incapacitated due to illness rather than accident. We would work towards a more equitable treatment for all people whose lives are seriously impaired by health issues."
Kay Murray
Alliance candidate for Dunedin South
"We do not believe the issue of providing therapy for victims of sexual abuse is one that should be provided for through ACC but rather by provision based on a restorative justice system whereby convicted abusers (and all prisoners indeed) should be in work schemes linked to a production-based return, the proceeds of which are credited into a funding system for all victims of crime. Any shortfall would be Government-funded."
Warren Voight
Democrats For Social Credit candidate for Dunedin South
"It seems to me that sexual abuse doesn't readily come under the concept of accident, that modern definitions of sexual abuse cover the most serious crimes through to incidents of no consequence, that it is an area widely abused by fraudulent claims. Serious crimes like rape etc have become vastly more common with sex education in schools and the promotion of sexual immorality. That is what we are fighting. And modern therapy is of doubtful benefit to the victims."
Robert Wansink
Restore All Things in Christ candidate for Dunedin South
"No policy on this specifically. United Future proposes establishing a truly independent committee to review appeals against ACC decisions. This committee would have the power to make recommendations to the government should it find flaws that regularly lead to unfair decisions. I would advocate for sufficient treatment for sexual abuse victims."
Pete George
United Future candidate for Dunedin North
"No one should be turned away when they need help. We support free and supportive care for all victims of sexual abuse. Longer prison sentences need to be given to their attackers."
Julian Crawford
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party candidate for Dunedin North
http://www.odt.co.nz/election-2011/candidates/186890/election-2011-southern-candidates-answer-questions?page=0%2C0
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