A tireless advocate for assault victims

Kiwis who inspired us in 2016 share their advice on how to help make the world a better place. Today we talk to Louise Nicholas.

When Louise Nicholas began sharing her story with New Zealanders, she read word for word from a piece of paper.

One day, she forgot her notes, and had to relive her history from memory.

She says she’s never spoken from a piece of paper since.

Nicholas, a victim of rape who walked the gauntlet of the criminal justice system to emerge a survivor, is New Zealand’s most prominent advocate for those who have suffered sexual violence.

Her public persona is inextricably linked to her teenage experience of sexual assault perpetrated by members of the New Zealand police.

It’s not exactly a comfortable legacy.

Nicholas sat through three jury trials in the early 90s, ultimately watching the accused men – Clint Rickards, Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum – go free.

Hearing herself described in court and in the media as a ‘‘vindictive, sex-crazed, medialoving racist liar’’, prompted Nicholas to tell her side of the story, in an eponymous book written with former Fairfax journalist Phil Kitchin.

Nicholas had begun telling her story in public almost a decade ago.

Her schedule plays out ‘‘from one email to another’’, speaking with community and corporate groups about the effect of her experience on friends and family, and empowering others to speak out, too.

‘‘When you finally find your voice and you put it out there, all of a sudden there’s a bit of a groundswell,’’ she says.

‘‘For many of our survivors, it’s something they felt they couldn’t do until they see others [do it].

‘‘It’s a huge part of their healing to speak out, and know that they’re going to be supported.’’

Today, Nicholas reckons the message is finally getting through.

Pick up a newspaper, she says, and most days there’ll be an article about an an accusation, acquittal or conviction of sexual violence.

Nicholas says today, the public isn’t shying away from discussing these issues.

‘‘People are saying ‘well, how can we keep ourselves and our children safe?’

A culture change won’t happen overnight, she says.

Parents remain the best role models for their kids, she says. Being self-aware of the effect words or actions might have on others, calling out inappropriate behaviour in others - and being willing to admit and learn from your own mistakes - are among the ‘‘little steps’’ that go towards changing a culture.

Nicholas’ experience gives her hope that that change is possible.

‘‘The culture has changed there hugely simply because the ‘good cops’ will not tolerate bad behaviour of their colleagues.’’

She hopes the conversations will continue in 2017 – ’’regardless of how confronting it is’’.

Alongside education about safe sexual relationships and advocating for better processes for survivors and their families going through the criminal justice system, Nicholas’ goal is for survivors’ voices to be heard.

‘‘Every survivor is unique in their journey to heal so [government services and agencies must] take the time to listen and to understand that what may work for one will not necessarily work for another,’’ she says.

‘‘We are all here to work towards eliminating all forms of violence against women children and men, but in order for this to be accomplished everyone needs to be on the same page.’’ – Britt Mann