Alarm as hotline loses funding

A rape-crisis group says ACC's withdrawal of funding for a helpline will leave a gaping hole in the treatment of sexual abuse in Auckland.

ACC recently said it was discontinuing the $350,000-a-year funding for the 24-hour Auckland sexual abuse helpline.

ACC Minister Nick Smith said he was seeking a three-month extension of funding from ACC for the helpline, and he was initiating a review to find out who should fund the service.

But Rape Prevention Education director Dr Kim McGregor said only the Government could come up with the money needed.

"It would be absolutely disastrous if the service ceased. It is the largest agency in the country ... and receives two or three rape callouts a day.

"The ACC funding is the only one of its kind. In the economic downturn agencies cannot rely as much on trusts and charities. The Government has to find the funds."

She said the decision went against the progress made by Government-backed rape prevention network Te Ohaakii a Hine (National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together).

"Eleven rape crisis groups have been working with the Government to rebuild the infrastructure on treatment of sexual abuse. This does seem to be an anomaly."

Dr Smith said Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye had raised it with him last week, and with his associate minister Pansy Wong. "We're concerned about the impact of this."

Labour ACC spokesman David Parker called for the Government to guarantee funding for the helpline.

- NZPA