Le’aufa’amulia Asenati
Lole-Taylor
Spokesperson for Social Policy/Welfare
June 18, 2014
Call for Government to Take Action on Sexual Violence
New Zealand First has asked what Justice Minister Judith Collins plans to do about New Zealand’s disgraceful record in
the area of rape and sexual violence after she pledged her support to help end sexual violence at an international
meeting.
“It is one thing to show commitment on an international level, but the Government should not neglect the situation at
home either,” says Spokesperson for Social Policy Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor.
“The Minister should be reflecting on problems we are facing in New Zealand after travelling to London last week to
attend the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.
“There is a clear push by the international community to end rape and sexual violence. New Zealand should be leading the
way.
“However, according to Women’s Refuge, one in three New Zealand women still experience physical or sexual abuse from an
intimate partner in their lifetime.
“Recent findings by the Glenn Inquiry into New Zealand’s alarming domestic violence and child abuse statistics
reinforces the need for the Government to do better.
“New Zealand First’s Prostitution Reform (Control of Street Prostitutes and Their Clients) Amendment Bill will introduce
effective measures to protect prostitutes from rape and sexual abuse. The Bill is awaiting introduction into Parliament.
“It sends a clear message that sexual violence is not okay and will not be tolerated.
“If the Government is serious about dealing with sexual violence, it must look at measures that deal with the problem at
a local level,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor.
ENDS