Police and Louise Nicholas work together for victims of sexual assault (plus video)

Louise Nicholas and Police have worked together to develop a resource for victims of sexual assault.

Police Commissioner Peter Marshall said the brochure was a pledge to victims that they will receive outstanding service all the way through their process, and it states what that process will be throughout the country."

He acknowledged Ms Nicholas as a proactive, knowledgeable and equal partner who shares a common interest with Police: providing victims of sexual assault with the right degree of support and wraparound service.

Ms Nicholas said working with Police, and the resulting brochure, was, "amazing. I've gone full circle for all the right reasons."

The brochure was launched last month at a gathering at Police National Headquarters.

During the launch Ms Nicholas said Police had a critical role in supporting the survivors of sexual assault, their family and whanau.

"Rape and sexual abuse are heinous crimes. We don't want it to happen but it does, every day. We need you cops to out there to help people move on," she said.

"I want every single officer who comes in contact with a survivor and their supporters to just listen, don't judge.

"In the end, it's not the policy and processes that are going to change the culture of Police. It's colleagues who pull each other up if someone isn't stepping up to the mark."

The brochures will be prominently displayed in every police station and will be given to victims as part of the process of reporting a sexual crime to Police.

To see a video of Louise Nicholas and the Police Commissioner at the recent launch of the brochure: http://youtu.be/MVJyD4TfzWI

An online copy of the brochure can be found here: http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/resources/other-reports/victims-sexual-abuse-booklet.pdf

ENDS

Jane Archibald
Police Public Affairs
027 568 0267