New Zealand legislation defines rape in the following way:
Person A rapes person B if person A has sexual connection with person B, effected by the penetration of person B’s genitalia by person A’s penis: (a) without person B’s consent to the connection; and (b) without believing on reasonable grounds that person B consents to the connection.
Sexual abuse occurs whenever anyone is forced, pressured or persuaded to engage in sexual activity. When this sexual activity happens to a child, it may not even occur to the child that they have been sexually abused.
Where these acts are performed without consent, where consent is withdrawn, or where consent is given under threat THEY ARE ILLEGAL, even if the two people are married.
Making A Complaint
If you've experienced sexual assault, the idea of reporting the experience to the Police can seem incredibly intimidating. You don't have to contemplate doing this on your own. We are here to work with you, your whānau and loved ones to provide all the wrap-around support you need to contact the Police with confidence.
NZ Police have provided advice for survivors of rape and sexual abuse, as well as resources on what you need to know about sexual assault.
There are three parts to a complaint. The first part is talking to the police, the second is having a medical examination (if the rape was recent), the third part is making a statement.
For some people, making a complaint can channel anger, or sense of loss, into something potentially positive.
Talking To the Police
You can go to the police station or ask the police to come to you to make a complaint. If you're attacker was male, you may want to ask to speak to a woman officer, but there may not always be one available.
Surveys show that only 10% of rapes are reported to the police.
Medical Examination
If the assault was recent, the police will ask for a medical examination to gather forensic evidence.
You can choose to say no, however, the police will need evidence to go to court. The examination will be carried out by a doctor (usually a MEDSAC doctor which stands for Medical Sexual Assault Clinicians Aotearoa) and will take several hours.
ACC Sensitive Claims
ACC has a Sensitive Claims Process for costs relating to counselling and therapy following any sexual assault you may have experienced. We can work through this process with you.
After A Complaint Is Made
At the police station, the police will type up your statement. Tell them everything you can remember. They will investigate your complaint and try to gather enough evidence to go to court.
The police will also write a survivor impact report explaining how you feel about the rape and how it has hurt you and your family.
The MEDSAC (Medical Sexual Assault Clinicians Aotearoa) pamphlet on medical care for sexual assault survivors. You can get a copy of this by contacting us.
Going To Court
The court process can be traumatic for survivors and proceeding can be slow. The basic legal process in New Zealand is:
This process shortens if the accused pleads guilty. Detailed information on the court process can be found in The Rape Survivors’ Legal Guide.
The Sentence
The maximum sentence is 20 years and only about 20% of complaints result in the rapist being convicted.
Reporting Sexual Assault: Steps 1 - 5
Supporters
You can ask family, friends and supporters to:
Go with you to the police
Be with you while you talk to them
Be with you at a medical examination
Take you somewhere safe after the police and doctors listen to you
Speak on your behalf (e.g. “they want a break/cup of tea now”).
An ŌCASA support worker can be with you if you want, and can:
Listen to you
Be with you when you talk to the police and speak on your behalf (e.g. requesting breaks)
Stay with you during the medical examination and during your statement
Be with you at any identity parade
Support you during a court case.
Your Rights
You have the right:
To be treated with courtesy, compassion and respect for your privacy and dignity
To be told of services and supports available to you
To be given information about the progress of the police investigation, to be told what charges are being laid, or the reason for no charges
To be told dates, places, and results of court hearings
To have property returned to you as soon as possible
To have your street address withheld from court
To be told about bail, sentencing, release, or escape from jail
To tell the parole board your views on release.
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Celebrate the small victories in your healing journey. You just might look back one day and realise how big they really were.
It will not always be an easy road, and it will be lonely at times. But it only gets better, life is too beautiful to live it trapped and abused and hiding under the shame of it all.
Location
Address
Dunbar House 21 Dunbar Street Centre City, Dunedin 9016 PO Box 5424, Dunedin