The story of Louise Nicholas is familiar to many New Zealanders. Her battle with the police force over accounts of rape and abuse as a teenager in the 1980s was fought publicly. Since then, she has become a strong advocate for sexual violence prevention.
My colleague Clare Curran, the MP for Dunedin South, has secured Louise Nicholas for the fourth annual Dame Dorothy Fraser lecture, to be held on Monday 28 September.
Our culture needs to change. Louise Nicholas continues to speak out against sexual abuse and family violence in New Zealand. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Kiwi women experience a serious sexual assault in their lifetime. Yet only around 10 percent of sexual abuse crimes are reported. People like Louise Nicholas ensure that sexual violence is openly discussed, and that issues of underfunding and under-reporting can’t be ignored.
Earlier this year, my colleague Kelvin Davis walked from West Auckland to Cape Reinga to raise awareness for MASSIVE — Men Against Sexual Violence. Kelvin encouraged people to “speak out, intervene and educate” on sexual violence in New Zealand. His campaign had cross-party support. But there is much more to do. The government must stop starving Rape Crisis centres and Women’s Refuges of funding. They help some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
I encourage everyone to attend the Dame Dorothy Fraser lecture. I was a fan of Dame Dorothy’s. She was a Dunedin community stalwart, serving on numerous health boards and as a city councillor. This lecture series honours her memory. She was a trailblazer for women, and a strong advocate for her community who always had a twinkle in her eye. The lecture series has previously starred the Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, CTU President Helen Kelly, and former MP Dr. Marilyn Waring.
Louise Nicholas was New Zealander of the Year in 2007, and was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015, in recognition of her courage, tenacity and efforts in sexual violence awareness. She now works with the police to help train officers in how to deal with rape victims. People like her are true heroes of our society.
Event Details
> Dame Dorothy Fraser Lecture
> 6:45pm – 9:15pm, Monday 28 September
> King’s and Queen’s Performing Arts Centre,
270 Bayview Road, Dunedin
> Louise Nicholas will be introduced by Labour’s Deputy Leader,
Hon. Annette King.
> Email dunedinsouthlecture@gmail.com for ticketing information.