Allegations of Abuse
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Home / police allegations / Rickards,
Shipton, Schollum vs Jane Doe Page 7 - Further Reaction to
Not Guilty Verdict |
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National Council of Women As women join across the country
today to celebrate International Women's Day (IWD), the recent outcome of a
second high profile trial on sexual violence resulting in a not-guilty
outcome, looms large in women's psyche. "These recent events have
highlighted the chasm between what a woman considers as sexual violence and
what some men perceive as consensual sexual connection," said Christine
Low, National President of the National Council of Women of New Zealand
(NCWNZ). "It is an absolute priority that the community builds a bridge
across this chasm for greater mutual understanding and respect. It is further
a priority that faith in the Police, as the guardians of law and order, be
restored." "Our history can not be
ignored, the women of New Zealand have been let down by the abysmal record of
obtaining convictions for crimes of rape and sexual violence, with less than
10 percent of prosecutions resulting in successful conviction,"
continued Christine Low. "Particularly when this is considered in the
context that sexual violence is under-reported in The CEDAW Alternative Shadow
Report 2006 reported that more women are disadvantaged by violence than by
any other factor - legal, financial or political. The National Council of Women of
New Zealand (NCWNZ) applauds the Ministry of Women's Affairs recently
announced research project: Strong and safe communities - effective
interventions for adult victims of sexual violence, which will provide
evidence-based advice to improve the safety and longer term wellbeing of
adult victims of sexual violence, and increase offender accountability. "This initiative, coupled with
the soon to be released findings of the Bazley Report (Commission of Inquiry
into Police Conduct) mean we can start to move forward, learn from our
history, and work towards the cultural shift that is long overdue," said
Christine Low. |