A new report on Addressing Sexual Violence in New Zealand from the Helen Clark Foundation, funded by Clare, calls for bringing New Zealand’s laws and policies in line with best practice to address our very high rates of sexual violence. Sexual violence is one of the most pervasive and damaging forms of offending in New Zealand with nearly one in four adults (24%) reporting having experienced sexual assault in their lifetime, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Remarks from dignitaries including Rt Hon Helen Clark, Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money, Project Ambassador Hon Anne Tolley and Project Lead Sarah Bell, were accompanied by an insightful panel discussion from report authors Dr Emily Henderson, Dr Anna High, Sophia Harre and Chloe Cashmore.
The report identifies four key areas for practical, meaningful, and lasting change:
- Closing the gaps in the justice system to reduce underreporting of sexual violence and increase the number of cases continuing to resolution;
- Updating the definition of consent in law to an affirmative ‘yes means yes’ consent model;
- Addressing the harm caused by sexually-explicit deepfakes; and
- Eradicating the practice of ‘virginity testing’ in New Zealand.
Follow this link to enter your details and download the full report.