Louise welcomes sexual violence reforms

BOOK SIGNING: Beverley Featherstone (left), of Masterton, meets Louise Nicholas at the book signing yesterday. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

High-profile rape victims' advocate Louise Nicholas is "absolutely stoked" the Law Commission will continue its work on proposals to change the way sexual violence cases are dealt with in the justice system.

Ms Nicholas was signing copies of her book about her own battle through the courts at Masterton Paper Plus yesterday for White Ribbon Day, a campaign against violence towards women.

"I'm absolutely stoked, it's a huge step forward for all those who work within the sexual violence sector, and especially for our survivors and family members in the justice system."

Coinciding with White Ribbon Day, Justice Minister Amy Adams made the announcement, saying more work needed to be done to make the court experience easier for victims.

"It is never going to be easy for them to re-live such events and be questioned about what happened. However, we need to do all we can to ensure that the process doesn't needlessly re-victimise them."

In 2012, the commission was investigating alternative court processes but was asked to stop by then minister Judith Collins.

It suggested judges have more control in criminal trials, to ensure they were fairer and less confrontational for victims and witnesses.

Ms Nicholas said if changes were made, there would likely be an increase in people coming forward. "They will feel safer going through the process."

She said the Roast Busters case might have been a catalyst for the announcement.

"But Amy Adams had said prior to that, conviction rates are very low, 99 per cent [of defendants] get acquitted ... that's because of the aggressive nature of having your character as a person and victim stripped."

She said she'd like to see judge-alone trials and more control over defence lawyers' behaviour.

Ms Nicholas also spoke about her experience at Masterton Town Hall last night.

She said White Ribbon Day was talking about all types of violence against women and girls but she added it also happened to men.