ACC Funding For Sexual Abuse Counselling

New Zealand has a pretty unique set-up called ACC (Accident Corporation Compensation). The ACC Act of 1972 was based on recommendations of the Woodhouse commission. Their intention was to provide a compulsory, comprehensive, no-fault accident insurance that “…guarantees all New Zealanders essential care and compensation in the event of an accident occurring anywhere in this country” (Department of Labour, 2000).

The commission’s recommendations were based on several principles: (1) The community of all New Zealanders should “share responsibility for the consequences of accidental injury, regardless of cause or fault, and that they (victims) should be returned to their role in the community as quickly as possible without significant personal financial loss” (Ministry of Justice, 1999). (2) To provide comprehensive entitlement. (3) To assist with complete rehabilitation. (4) To provide ‘real’ compensations. (5) To be administered efficiently.

The ACC also administers the ‘Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1963’ which addresses a wide range of criminal acts that lead to injuries, “…including pregnancy by rape, and criminal infection with disease” (Lectlaw). This includes cover for personal injuries (mental injuries) caused by sexual abuse and provides funding for treatment to recover from the effects of sexual abuse (ACC 2000). In turn for this comprehensive insurance extended to all members of the community, the scheme removed the individual’s capacity to sue under common law for damages based on fault (Ministry of Justice, 1999).

Thus funding the recovery from rape and sexual abuse ended up to become a responsibility of ACC – do did compensating for damages caused by both. So if you have sexual abuse in your history, you may be eligible to receive funding for counselling, if you struggle with psychological or mental problems as a result of the abuse.