Sexual violence claims up 88 percent since 2013 - ACC

  • 30/07/2018
Due to the heavier workload, ACC is now asking health providers to let clinical psychology interns and recent graduates counsel assault survivors, rather than leaving it to senior staff.
Due to the heavier workload, ACC is now asking health providers to let clinical psychology interns and recent graduates counsel assault survivors, rather than leaving it to senior staff. Photo credit: Getty

The number of ACC claims for mental or physical injuries related to sexual violence is on the rise.

According to new figures, ACC now receives 21 claims a day related to rape or sexual assault, up from 11 a day in 2013.

This 88 percent increase over the past five years is causing a strain on ACC counsellors.

Due to the heavier workload, ACC is now asking health providers to let clinical psychology interns and recent graduates counsel assault survivors, rather than leaving it to senior staff.

Since 2014, assault survivors who claimed ACC have been eligible for 14 hours of free counselling, a change partly responsible for the increase in claims.

However, ACC CCO Emma Powell told NZME it's also due to more awareness around sexual assault.

"It's no secret that, even before the #MeToo movement became very public over the last 12 months, there has been a growing conversation in the public about sexual violence and about consent and the impacts to young people as well as adults and children," Ms Powell told NZME.

In 2017, 2253 out of 7779 sensitive claims were declined.

If you have witnessed or experienced sexual harassment or assault and would like to speak to someone, you could call the HELP support service.

Newshub.