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Peter Ellis
web site - Christchurch crèche case |
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By Katherine Rich, Party Spokesperson on ACC “It is deeply
concerning that a young rape victim is reported to have received no support
or advice from ACC, and the Minister should investigate,” says National Party
ACC spokeswoman Katherine Rich. “ACC Minister Ruth
Dyson must investigate the handling of this victim’s claim immediately.” Mrs Rich is commenting
on reports that the latest victim of serial rapist Akeel Hassan Abbas Al
Baiiaty has been denied compensation from ACC, which says she did not suffer
a long term injury. “If that is the case
then ACC has some big apologies to make. ACC has a specific section set up to
handle this kind of case. The whole point of the Sensitive Claims Unit is to
ensure that sexual abuse cases are handled sensitively. “Based on available
information I can’t see how this woman could not have qualified for ACC
support. “In the past financial
year ACC paid out more than $20 million for sexual abuse. “But it has faced
justifiable criticism. In many cases it made awards for claims where there
was no investigation, no physical evidence, no identified perpetrator, no
charges and no convictions. “But this case as
reported is clear. “The Minister might try
to fob off questions by saying she won’t discuss individual cases, but her
silence will only fuel the public outrage. “Ruth Dyson is more
than familiar with ACC’s decision-making process, there is absolutely no need
for her to identify this victim publicly while giving us the details,” says
Mrs Rich. “As an absolute minimum
the woman should get the counselling she seeks and reimbursement for her
doctors bills’,” says Mrs Rich |
