Rape victims could soon get quicker support from ACC under a plan to set up a series of one-stop shops for women who've been sexually attacked.
Police and rape survivor groups have criticised the low number of clinics available to perform forensic examinations on victims, meaning they often
have to travel a long way to be seen.
They have also criticised the length of time it can take ACC to process claims for financial and other support.
But ACC chief executive Jan White today told a parliamentary inquiry into victims' rights that ACC, in conjunction with police and the Health Ministry, was drawing up a plan that would see about 18 clinics around the country provide a co-ordinated service for sexual attack victims.
At the clinics victims would be able to undergo a forensic examination, receive help from Victim Support and undergo an ACC assessment all at the same time.
That would greatly speed up the time it took many victims to receive ACC support for things like childcare and counselling as a result of their injuries.
It would also ensure there were adequate forensic examination services throughout the country.
In January Tauranga police highlighted the case of a 13-year-old rape victim who, due to a shortage of doctors trained in handling sex cases, had to undergo a two-hour return trip to Whakatane for an examination.
Director of Auckland-based Rape Prevention Education Kim McGregor previously told the justice and electoral select committee the situation was similar in many other places around New Zealand.
ACC has also come under fire from the Sensible Sentencing Trust for the length of time it takes to process claims -- often several weeks.
Ms White said ACC was leading work on the new setup and a report was expected around May.
"The amount of services around New Zealand where women can actually get immediate assessment is not satisfactory."
Services also lacked co-ordination, she said.
"What we are trying to do is get the forensic examination done at the same time as our assessment of the injury so we don't have to put women through two lots of assessment," she said.
"Once we have that it will be clear for us, for police, for health, for whoever else it is what needs to be provided at that time."
ACC would fund the service.
- NZPA
