Rape Awareness Week
Not Above the Law – We Support Louise Nicholas March
To mark Rape Awareness Week (1-7 May) I have organised a We Support Louise Nicholas March, Sunday 30 April, 2.00 pm from Queen Elizabeth Square (outside Britomart). The march will proceed up Queen Street to Aotea Square. There will be speakers from Rape Crisis and Auckland Sexual Abuse Help Foundation.
Organising this march was a way to give those unhappy with the outcome of the Louise Nicholas case a platform to express their concerns.
NZ has some of the most stringent suppression laws in the common law world. There is a perception that suppression orders are being used to protect the rich, famous or powerful while others must battle for name suppression.
Rape complainants must have enough confidence in the justice system to come forward.
The Louise Nicholas verdict sends a strong message to perpetrators, particularly those in positions of power and influence, that they are above the law.
We Support Louise Nicholas
Helen Wiseman-Dare