Roger Allison has prompted a ministerial inquiry related to gaps in the law for compensating people who suffer from abuse and cannot work due to injuries such as PTSD. Photo / Supplied
Roger Allison has prompted a ministerial inquiry related to gaps in the law for compensating people who suffer from abuse and cannot work due to injuries such as PTSD. Photo / Supplied
An abuse survivor who confronted a sex offender in court and helped expose a gap in compensation law for victims says he's happy a Government minister is investigating his case.
Roger Allison left his job because of post-traumatic stress disorder. But after trouble getting compensation for lost earnings, his efforts prompted Minister for ACC Carmel Sepuloni to look into loopholes around compensation.
"What I realised over the weekend was a real confirmation for me that having my name suppression lifted at the sentencing was absolutely the right thing to do," Allison said today.
Judge Nevin Dawson said some victims of Moonie were as young as 10.
Allison previously told the Herald one of the abusers, who is now dead, was linked to Dilworth School, where historical sex abuse has led to numerous arrests.
Allison said he made contact with ACC in 2004 about the abuse he suffered as a 13-year-old.
Allison said one claim was lodged in 2004, about five days before he started a new job, so he couldn't receive compensation for lost earnings.
ACC determined Allison was not defined as an "earner" at the time of the injury, under the relevant part of the Accident Compensation Act.
Allison contacted his local MP, National's Simeon Brown, who asked the minister about gaps in the law for abuse survivors.
Minister for ACC Carmel Sepuloni has asked officials to investigate the scale of issues related to people who aren't "earners" when lodging claims related to abuse. Photo / Mark Mitchell
And after Herald inquiries, Sepuloni pledged to investigate the case and asked officials to look into the scale of the problem.
The law did help many people, Sepuloni said, but she acknowledged a loophole seemed to exist for some potential claimants who did not meet criteria for certain entitlements.
"While they do get ACC cover for counselling and other services, they aren't eligible to receive weekly compensation," she said on Friday.
Wayne Moonie was sentenced for multiple child abuse offences. Photo / John Weekes
Sepuloni said she had asked for advice on the issue and to see how many people might be disadvantaged under current legislation.
