National supports law change in rape case cross examination

The National Party’s backing a call from the Auckland Women’s Lawyers Association for a law change, after a man accused of raping a woman’s was allowed to cross examine her in court.

“You can’t help but sympathise with the alleged victim in this case, imagine being quizzed by the very man you believe has attacked you,” says National’s Courts spokesman Tony Ryall.

“The need to protect victims from this sort of ordeal’s already been canvassed in many Commonwealth countries and I agree that it’s time New Zealand looked at this issue.

“We’re sentencing alleged victims to yet another kind of assault,” says Mr Ryall.

National is echoing the call of Rape Crisis and Victim Support for a law change that might involve channeling questions through a court appointed lawyer or the judge.

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