‘Magic’ levy no compensation for survivors of sexual abuse

The level of help victims of sexual violence will receive out of income from the “magic” $50 offender levy will nowhere near compensate for National’s cuts in ACC counselling services for survivors of sexual abuse, Labour MPs say.

Labour Law and Order spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove and Victims Rights spokesperson Lynne Pillay say they welcome a new court support service for victims of sexual violence, but proceeds from “the magic levy” are to be spread so thinly that victims will not experience the genuine compensation National had led them to believe was coming their way.

Clayton Cosgrove said: “The levy --- which may not even be collected from many offenders given all the unpaid fines that already exist --- is now to fund a host of objectives, including the new court support service; increased funeral grants for families of homicide victims; immediate costs, such as clothing, faced by sexual violence victims; and financial help for victims of serious crime to attend court.

“These are all worthy objectives, but add to this the news that the levy will also be used to supply victims of serious crime with a DVD and pamphlets explaining all of the above services, and you begin to get an inkling of the apparently magical potency this levy is assuming.

“It is worth noting that just about the only thing National is not claiming for the levy is that it won’t be a bureaucratic nightmare. That’s what it is going to be. Make no mistake about it.”

Lynne Pillay said: “Survivors of sexual abuse are in desperate need of counselling services but are going without because the Government won’t accept that its new ACC policy is failing dismally.

“It will be scant consolation for them that that they may receive some support when they appear in court,” Lynne Pillay said.

“Changes made by National for people accessing counselling services have been an unmitigated disaster that has caused survivors of sexual abuse even more suffering. Today’s levy announcement won’t change that reality.”

ENDS

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