Men too ashamed' to report sex attacks

A Hamilton man accused of abducting, stupefying and sexually assaulting two men is likely to have attacked other victims who may be too ashamed to come forward, police say.

The slightly-built 33-year-old unemployed man was granted interim name suppression yesterday when he appeared in Hamilton District Court.

He is charged with two counts of abduction, two counts of stupefying, four counts of sexual violation and one count of indecent assault.

The charges relate to the sexual assault of a 22-year-old man on Mill St on October 24 and the abduction and assault of two men hitchhiking in Claudelands on November 5.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Thornton said it was likely the man had more victims, who could be reluctant to come forward.

"Police acknowledge that any victim of sexual assault is traumatised by their ordeal but we implore anyone else who may have been a victim of this offender to come forward," he said.

Mr Thornton said the two victims were traumatised and upset.

He could not comment on the man's methods as the case was before the court.

He warned that people going out to bars should maintain their situational awareness, watch their drinks and catch a taxi home.

"This case has shown us "vulnerable people" is not gender specific - both sexes can be at risk," he said.

Police are investigating whether the accused was involved in an incident in which a 25-year-old man was kidnapped for several hours and then raped on the corner of Norton and Rifle Range Rds on November 1.

The man said he was taken to a vacant section and subjected to a prolonged sexual assault.

At the time Hamilton Detective Sergeant Andy BuBear described it as a totally random attack.

The manager of the Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust in Hamilton, Mike Holloway, said it was likely the accused was a serial offender as male rape victims were more reticent to report sexual assaults against them.

He said victims felt shame and fear and there was a view that sexual offending was committed against women and children.

But unreported sexual attacks against men were more common than people thought.