Addressing Sexual Violence report launch

This was a live-streamed event to launch our latest report.

Although we like to think of Aotearoa New Zealand as a safe place to be a woman, rates of sexual violence in our country are far too high.

On Tuesday 2nd December we the launched the Helen Clark Foundation’s report on Addressing Sexual Violence in New Zealand.

The launch was an opportunity to hear from Rt Hon Helen Clark, Patron of The Helen Clark Foundation; Hon Anne Tolley, Project Ambassador; and members of the research team about the report and its recommendations.

The report, funded by the Clare Foundation, makes legislative and policy recommendations in four key areas:

• Changes to 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 consent model;
• Addressing the harm from sexually explicit deepfakes;
• Eradicating the practice of “virginity testing” in New Zealand.

The event commenced at 11am with a Mihi Whakatau followed by:

• Welcoming remarks from Sue Watson, Director, Connected Leadership
• Introductions by Murray Bruges, Executive Director, The Helen Clark Foundation
• Brief remarks from Rt Hon Helen Clark, Patron, The Helen Clark Foundation
• Brief remarks from Ruth Money, Chief Victims Advisor
• Brief remarks from Hon Anne Tolley, Project Ambassador
• Summary of the Report by Sarah Bell, Project Lead, The Helen Clark Foundation
• Panel Discussion with report authors; Dr Emily Henderson, Dr Anna High, Sophia Harré, Chloe Cashmore and Project Ambassador Hon Anne Tolley
• Closing remarks