Support if you’ve experienced sexual abuse or assault
Through the Sensitive Claims Service, we provide support for anyone in Aotearoa New Zealand, including visitors to the country, who has experienced sexual abuse or assault in New Zealand. We may also be able to help if you're an Aotearoa New Zealand resident and have experienced sexual abuse while travelling overseas. It doesn't matter if the event happened recently or a long time ago. Learn more about the support we provide and other helpful resources.
On this page
Getting the help you need
If you’ve experienced sexual abuse or assault, we can fund therapy and other support services. To start the process, visit Find Support to find a therapy provider.
A therapy provider is someone who provides therapy, which may be a counsellor, psychotherapist, psychologist or, in some cases, a psychiatrist. Your therapy provider will let us know that you have engaged with them and will lodge an ACC claim for you.
You can also talk to your GP, or another health provider, and they can lodge a claim for you. If you’re having trouble getting in touch with the right provider, contact us and we’ll help you make an appointment.
What happens after lodging a claim
Once a claim has been lodged with us, you can access up to 14 hours of therapy and up to 30 hours of other support services. This can include help from a social worker and/or support for your family and whānau so they can learn how to support you. This is at no cost to you, and you won’t have to wait for us to accept your claim to get this support. A member of our team will get in touch with you to discuss your needs and the support we can provide.
Getting Started
The first two sessions of support are called Getting Started and will focus on building a relationship with your therapy provider and deciding if they’re the right fit for you. If you decide your therapy provider is not the right fit, you have the right to find another one.
Early Supports
During the next four sessions, which we call Early Supports, you and your therapy provider will consider the type of treatment and support you’ll need for your recovery. Your therapy provider will develop an Early Supports Plan identifying the best cover and treatment path for you and who will provide the necessary support. They will discuss the plan with you before sending it to us.
Short Term Support to Wellbeing
One treatment path your therapy provider may recommend is Short Term Support to Wellbeing. This is recommended if your therapy provider believes a short-term intervention of a maximum of eight hours of therapy will meet your treatment needs and goals. For some people, a few sessions are all that’s needed, while others may require more treatment and support.
If your therapy provider believes you would benefit from further support, they will work with you to determine the best way to support your recovery.
Any further treatment and support can only be provided after your ACC claim has been accepted.
Getting further treatment and support
Depending on your treatment needs, we may be able to accept your claim for more treatment and support after receiving a Cover and Wellbeing Plan from your therapy provider. To complete this plan, your therapy provider will ask you some questions and you will complete a questionnaire to help determine your treatment needs. However, you won’t need to undergo an in-depth assessment.
If after receiving your Cover and Wellbeing Plan, we accept your claim, your therapy provider will work with you to create an individualised support plan based on your unique needs. You’ll be able to access talk therapy, as well as support from other specialists, such as social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech language therapists, and dieticians.
If necessary, you’ll also have access to other support services, such as group-based therapy. You can also request social rehabilitation services, such as rongoā Māori and other ACC services.
TN Court of Appeal ruling
In December 2023, the Court of Appeal issued a ruling in the ACC v TN case, clarifying when survivors of childhood sexual abuse can qualify for financial support if they’re unable to work or study. The court ruled that clients (kiritaki) who suffer a mental injury from sexual abuse are eligible for financial support based on the date of mental injury suffered (DMIS), which for most people is when their sexual abuse or assault event occurred or sometime close to that date. Previously, requests for financial support were based on when clients (kiritaki) first sought treatment.
What this means:
- If you had a childhood sexual abuse event, you may be eligible to receive loss of potential earnings (LOPE) from when you turned 18. LOPE is financial support for clients (kiritaki) who were injured as a result of sexual abuse or assault prior to turning 18 and whose injuries are preventing them from engaging in work or in training. If you think you might be eligible for LOPE, contact us:
Phone 0800 735 566 - If you’re currently receiving financial support, such as weekly compensation, your payments aren’t changing right now. If we identify that the ruling might impact your existing compensation, we’ll let you know and help you understand what it means for you. We will begin contacting those who may be impacted by the ruling next year.
It’s important to note that the ruling is about financial compensation and doesn’t impact cover or access to support and treatment for your injury.
When a Specialist Cover Assessment is needed
Your therapy provider may recommend that you undergo a Specialist Cover Assessment with an approved assessment provider. An assessor may be someone other than your therapy provider.
A Specialist Cover Assessment is used to determine cover for a mental injury caused by sexual abuse and provides us with a formal diagnosis. This type of assessment is needed if you require financial support like weekly compensation, Loss of potential earnings (LOPE) or Permanent Injury Compensation (PIC).
Learn more about the types of financial support we can provide
The assessment process requires us to obtain information from you and your medical providers. If you request financial support, some questions about your ability to work will also be asked and this is known as a Function Assessment. We will get your consent before collecting medical information for the assessment and your therapy provider will explain and support you throughout this process.
While you’re waiting for your assessment to be completed, you can continue to receive support from your therapy provider. We will provide 10 sessions of therapy and additional hours with the assessor to ensure this assessment happens at the right pace for you.
Once your Specialist Cover Assessment has been completed, we will determine if we can accept your claim. If accepted, your therapy provider will work with you to create an individualised support plan based on your unique needs. You’ll be able to access talk therapy, as well as support from other specialists, such as social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech language therapists, and dieticians.
If necessary, you’ll also have access to other support services, such as group-based therapy and vocational rehabilitation. You can also request social rehabilitation services, such as rongoā Māori, and other ACC services.
What happens after completing your treatment
After you have completed your treatment, we will continue to support you by funding up to 20 hours of support to be used over the next three years. We call this type of support Maintaining Wellbeing, and it’s to help you navigate any challenging times, without needing to go through the entire engagement process again.
If you need more support after this, or at any stage in the future, you can contact us for further support.
Other ACC services available to you
If your claim has been approved by us, you can request other services to help you with your recovery, such as:
Rongoā Māori is traditional Māori healing that offers many different techniques. This support is available to kiritaki (clients) with an accepted claim.
Learn more about rongoā Māori and how to request this service.
If we cover a mental injury for you or the child you care for, we may be able to help support the child’s care and/or their education.
You may be able to get support for help around your home. This is so you can make a quick and safe recovery and get back to your everyday activities. You need to have an accepted claim to access this support.
If getting to your therapy sessions is a barrier, we may be able to contribute to transport costs to get you to and from your therapy sessions. Talk to your recovery team about this.
Helpful tools and resources
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about the support and services we provide through the Sensitive Claims Service.
MyACC
MyACC enables you to request support for your injury online using your mobile, tablet or computer. From updating your contact details so we can always reach you, to applying for weekly compensation, there’s a lot you can do to manage your recovery. Talk to your ACC Recovery Partner if you would like to register for MyACC.
Find Support
Use our Find Support website to find ACC approved therapy providers who can support you. An online search tool allows you to find therapy providers in your area and filter by specific expertise, gender and languages spoken. Accessing Find Support is data free for those using devices from the following mobile providers: 2 degrees, Skinny, Spark and One NZ.
Digital tools
There are many digital mental health resources available in New Zealand.
Digital tools are like interactive self-help books, offering activities such as mood tracking, relaxation exercises, and useful tips to enhance mental health. They complement in-person support and can also be a first step for those without access to professional help.
We’ve identified several resources and tools that can support survivors of sexual abuse or assault. These resources and tools are all free to use and can be utilised either on their own or alongside ACC-funded support or other supports.
These resources and tools are not owned or operated by ACC, and any data or sign-up information that you provide while using these tools will not be shared with us. To understand how your data is collected and protected, be sure to review the privacy statement available on each tool’s website.
Aunty Dee
Aunty Dee is a free online tool for anyone who needs some help working through a problem or problems. It doesn’t matter what the problem is – Aunty Dee can help you work through it.
Based on principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Aunty Dee provides a structured approach to decision-making that helps you list your problems, explore ideas, and find your own solutions. Aunty Dee doesn’t generate content or provide answers but instead guides you through a process to think about your problems in a clear and constructive way – supporting you to move proactively towards solutions rather than feeling overwhelmed.
Want to know more? Visit auntydee.co.nz
depression.org.nz
The depression.org.nz website provides information, validation, self-tests and practical advice for navigating depression and anxiety.
Their advice can help you get ready to reach out for support and find out more about the people and services available to you.
Want to learn more? Visit depression.org.nz
Headstrong
Headstrong is a free, New Zealand-made wellbeing app designed for young people aged 13 to 24. It features an interactive chatbot and over 100 short, practical skills that help users manage stress, relationships, cultural identity, alcohol and drug use, self-worth, and other real-life challenges. Each skill takes just a few minutes and can be used anytime, anywhere—whether you are having a tough day or just want to build resilience.
Headstrong is not a mental health treatment, but a wellbeing enhancer—offering early support through a friendly, conversational interface. It was developed by health and software experts at the University of Auckland, co-designed with rangatahi (young people), and is freely available thanks to support from Health New Zealand.
Want to know more? Visit headstrong.org.nz
Just a Thought
Just a Thought offers over 15 free online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) courses for anyone experiencing low mood, anxiety, stress, difficulties sleeping, alcohol and drug harm and other mental health challenges. All courses are free, easy-to-use and proven to help.
Want to learn more? Visit justathought.co.nz
SPARX
SPARX is a free, evidence-based online and mobile tool available across New Zealand. It uses gaming elements to teach Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques that help young people manage low mood, anxiety, and stress. SPARX was co-designed with rangatahi and clinically tested by researchers and youth mental health experts at the University of Auckland, with funding from Health New Zealand. While it looks like a game, it is a structured mental health intervention. It can be used on its own or alongside therapy and is most effective when users complete the full programme.
Want to know more? Visit sparx.org.nz
Where else to go for help and support
Safe to Talk
If you are not ready to contact a therapy provider or just want to talk to someone now, contact the Safe to Talk helpline. Safe to Talk is available 24/7 for anyone in New Zealand and is free and confidential, with trained specialists that connect you to support services in your community.
Contact Safe to Talk in the following ways:
Free phone 0800 044 334
Free text 4334
Email support@safetotalk.nz
Online Chat: Simply click on the “chat to someone” button on their website
Healthify
Healthify provides access to a wide range of health information and self-help resources
Visit healthify.nz
Wellbeing Hub
Mental Health Foundation's Wellbeing Hub provides practical tips for managing and uplifting your mental wellbeing, in a range of situations.
Contact us
To talk to us about receiving support for sexual abuse or assault,
Call 0800 735 566
If this is an emergency, or you need immediate help,
Call 111