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
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."