The Dominion Post
April 3, 2004

Rape inquiry: who will pay?
by Gordon Jon Thompson

The Cabinet is to consider paying the legal fees of women who have come forward to the commission of inquiry into police rape allegations as pressure mounts for the Government to help.

Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas, who sparked the commission of inquiry after alleging she was pack-raped by three police officers in 1986, called yesterday for the Government to pay her legal fees.

Mrs Nicholas said last night she was delighted the Cabinet would consider her request.

"If the Government is going to help out then that's mighty of them. It will be good to have someone looking after my interests and explaining things," she said.

"People will need help legally during the commission of inquiry but in many cases they can't afford it."

The Dominion Post, which broke the story, and Television New Zealand have so far met Mrs Nicholas' legal bills. A lawyer has been acting for Mrs Nicholas while the police have interviewed her extensively. She will also need representation at the commission of inquiry.

The Dominion Post and Mrs Nicholas first raised the issue in a letter to Prime Minister Helen Clark on February 4. Miss Clark passed it on to Attorney-General Margaret Wilson but there had been no word from Ms Wilson till The Dominion Post raised the issue again yesterday. She said the matter would be discussed in the Cabinet on Monday. "I'm seeking advice on ways of assisting complainants with representation at the commission of inquiry and I will be raising the matter with my Cabinet colleagues on Monday."

Dominion Post editor Tim Pankhurst said though the paper would continue to ensure Mrs Nicholas was properly supported, he did not believe it was the paper's role to do so.

Mrs Nicholas should not have to pay to gain the justice she has sought, he said.

Mrs Nicholas alleges she was pack-raped in 1986 by former officers Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton, and Clint Rickards, now an assistant commissioner. The men have said the sex was consensual and have denied rape.

Mrs Nicholas has told how the pressure of coming forward with her allegations had affected her. She has lost weight and has had trouble sleeping. However, she is convinced it was the right thing to do. "I know no matter what happens from here, it's been for the best."