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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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Hundreds
of Louise Nicholas supporters marched down Queen St yesterday demanding
justice for victims of rape. Hundreds of Louise
Nicholas supporters marched down Queen St yesterday demanding justice for
victims of rape. The crowd of about 400
gathered at the bottom of Queen St and marched to Aotea Square chanting,
"Two, four, six, eight, we want justice for victims of rape," and
"What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now." The organiser of
yesterday's march, Helen Wiseman-Dare, said it was also about calling for
change in the way rape cases are tried. Mrs Nicholas accused
three men of raping her between 1985 and 1986 in Rotorua. They were found not
guilty of all charges they faced earlier this month. Rape Crisis Director
Kim McGregor read a letter written by Mrs Nicholas to the crowd gathered in
Aotea Square. Mrs Nicholas wrote that
for 25 years she had lived day to day. "I can now remove
my safety net, hold my head high and with my husband Ross and three daughters
finally look towards a bigger, brighter and safer future," the letter
said. Dr McGregor said a
specialised task force had been set up involving Rape Crisis, Auckland Sexual
Abuse Help Foundation and lawyers to prepare a proposal for Government on how
sexual crimes are tried in New Zealand courts. Yesterday's march
coincided with Rape Awareness Week, which starts today.
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