Louise Nicholas and police develop brochure on sexual assault police processes

The Ministry of Justice has announced an increase in funding to continue the National Sexual Violence Survivor Role provided by Rape Prevention Education.  Sexual assault survivor Louise Nicholas has held the position since 2008. The advocacy role provides information, referrals and one on one support to around 600 people and their families affected by sexual violence each year.  Through Rape Prevention Education, Nicholas also provides training, lectures, and consultancy to a range of social, government and criminal justice services.

As part of the role, Nicholas partnered with Police to develop an information brochure for anyone who reports a sexual crime. The brochure, available online, focuses on support for survivors and their family and whānau and seeks to make the police process regarding sexual assault easier for everyone to understand. The brochures are to be displayed prominently in every police station and given to victim/survivors when they report a sexual crime to police. Police Commissioner Peter Marshall said the brochure represented a pledge to victims that they "will receive outstanding service all the way through their process."

Rape Prevention Education's Executive Director, Kim McGregor is delighted by the continuation of the advocacy role, which is in growing demand. "Because of Louise’s high profile personal experiences and the courage she represents, some people affected by sexual violence feel able to seek help from Louise when they are unable to seek help from anyone else", she said.

The National Tauiwi and Bicultural Sexual Violence Prevention Hui, Imagining the Solution 2013 is due to be held on the 9th and 10th of September.  For more information contact Trina King, toahnnestpreventionhuitauiwi@gmail.com.

Ngā Kaitiaki Mauri will be hosting kaupapa Māori sexual violence prevention regional events later in the year.  To pre-register interest in these, please email nkmhuhana@toah-nnest.org.nz.

Media

Louise Nicholas: 'I've gone full circle', New Zealand Herald, 17.06.2013

National Sexual Violence Survivor Advocate Role Continued, Scoop, 05.06.2013

Survivor now helps others, Rotorua Daily Post, 24.06.2013

Louise Nicholas teams up with police to help victims, TVNZ, 17.06.2013

Louise Nicholas an equal partner, Ten One Police Magazine, June 2013

Changing our Police for Good, Sunday, 23.06.2013

Louise Nicholas helps police support rape victims, 3 News, 17.06.2013