A high-profile supporter of sexual violence survivors has criticised the Government's plan to cut key roles at ACC, saying reducing staff will take the country backwards.
Louise Nicholas was responding to ACC's proposal to slash more than 300 jobs, which the Labour Party and a union say include roles in violence prevention.
But ACC has downplayed the impact of any cuts.
For decades Louise Nicholas has been resolute in her quest to amplify the rights of survivors of rape and sexual violence.
She told Newshub cuts to vital roles at ACC will lead to worse outcomes.
"We can't take any of this away otherwise we're just going to go back - backwards in such a way that if you think we've got issues now, God help us," she said.
New Zealand does have issues. Data shows one in four girls will be sexually assaulted before they turn 18.
ACC has teams dedicated to preventing sexual violence - expert roles that now face a shake-up.
- If you have more information, contact Michael Morrah in confidence at michael.morrah@wbd.com
The Public Service Association says "significant cuts" are planned for the injury prevention team, which includes staff who help with preventing sexual violence.
But ACC's chief executive Megan Main told Newshub any changes "won't impact services".
She acknowledged one specialist sexual violence role is proposed to be disestablished.
Main said the proposed changes would mean ACC would move away from having a single team work on injury prevention and instead shift to a "whole of organisation effort".
Nicholas remains concerned about tinkering with a system that already benefits sexual abuse survivors.
"If they're going to axe those then we're back to square one, and square one is a higher rate of sexual violence," she said.
Nicholas, who accused three police officers of rape in 2004, now heads up her own network called The Louise Nicholas Trust which supports rape and sex abuse survivors at court hearings.
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) currently funds 17 providers to deliver support services in court nationally, but Nicholas says more court support advocates are needed in all regions.
Asked whether her team was spread too thin, she replied, "yes, absolutely".
"I've been called to support in Palmerston North, Wanganui, Timaru, Invercargill, Christchurch. Why?"
She felt the underresourcing was significant. That's despite only a fraction of survivors getting to court. Just 9 percent of sexual violence is reported to police.
Nicholas puts that down to the "myths" about the barriers to disclosing rape and sexual abuse.
She says police have transformed their approach and the court process is vastly improved - allowing evidence via video, privacy screens, and advocates like herself can help victims navigate the process.
"It's not brutal. It's hard. But it's not brutal," she told Newshub.
She urges survivors to trust the system and come forward but worries possible cuts to vital ACC roles will reduce confidence in the system.
"If it doesn't need to happen, especially in this space, please don't."
A plea she hopes is heard by ACC Minister Matt Doocey.
Doocey told Newshub the proposals being considered at ACC are an "operational matter".
"I have been assured that frontline roles won't be affected."
Where to get help:
- NZ Police
- Victim Support 0800 842 846
- Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00
- Rape Prevention Education
- Empowerment Trust
- HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655 - push 0 at the menu
- Safe to talk: a 24/7 confidential helpline for survivors, support people and those with harmful sexual behaviour: 0800044334
- Male Survivors Aotearoa
- Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) 022 344 0496
- If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
