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Peter Ellis
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October
8, 2001
Many Taranaki people have
responded to a Taranaki is one of several areas
chosen by Wakefield and Associates for the distribution of flyers publicising
the rights of victims to gain lump sums and wide-ranging, ongoing
compensation from the Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Corporation
(ACC). "We've had a lot of people
ring from your area (Taranaki) -- 30-odd calls from people absolutely
thrilled about the offer," said spokesman Garry Wakefield. "I think anyone who has
been through what these people have been through should be advised of their
correct entitlements. "They deserve the
compensation, although, of course, nothing can fully compensate them for what
they have suffered. "If they had already been
informed of their rights, we would not have to go out and do it. We believe
thousands of sexual-abuse victims are missing out on their statutory entitlements."
Mr Wakefield said Ministry of
Justice crime statistics showed that one in nine females surveyed had
suffered in the last five years from someone's inappropriate sexual
behaviour, and some of them believed that in their cases criminal offences had
been committed. Because victims of sexual abuse
could find it hard to approach large organisations such as ACC, Mr Wakefield said victims could
instruct his firm by filling in and posting the flyer's reply-paid
"Authority to Act". Successful claimants would pay nothing further
than the firm's fee of 25% of any lump-sum payment, plus the first of any
quarterly payment. If claims were unsuccessful, the
claimants would pay nothing, he said.
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