Can I get support from ACC as a survivor of abuse in care?

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Last updated: January 28, 2025

What injuries can ACC cover?

This page includes language that may bring up a range of emotions. We have some suggestions about support for your wellbeing and support to help you with the claims process.

Abuse in care can result in a range of injuries including:  

  • physical injury, or mental injury caused by physical injury
  • mental injury caused by certain criminal acts, including sexual abuse or assault
  • treatment injury, or mental injury caused by treatment. 

Examples of mental injury could include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

All of these can potentially be covered by ACC. Being covered means that ACC may pay some of your medical, therapeutic and rehabilitation costs.

Learn more about what injuries ACC coveropen_in_new

Find out what support ACC might provide.

How long does it take to get ACC cover?

How long it might take for ACC to process and progress your claim is different depending on your situation the information ACC has.

We have learned from people who have accessed ACC that sometimes it can be quick, and sometimes it can take months or longer.