Prima Facie Performance Spotlights Urgent Justice Issues For Survivors During Rape Awareness Week

HELP Auckland will mark Rape Awareness Week with a special charity performance of the acclaimed play Prima Facie, starring Cassandra Woodhouse and directed by Michael Hurst, followed by an expert panel discussion on sexual violence, justice, and change in Aotearoa.

The event, taking place on Monday 5 May at the Westpoint Performing Arts Centre, is part of HELP’s wider Do Something HELPful campaign encouraging public action during New Zealand’s national rape / sexual assault awareness week.

Fresh off critical acclaim, Prima Facie, written by Suzie Miller, tells the story of a defence barrister whose world is turned upside down when she herself becomes a victim of sexual assault. The play has drawn national attention for its unflinching portrayal of justice system inequities for survivors.

Following the performance, audiences are invited to a powerful panel discussion featuring:

• Cassandra Woodhouse, producer and actress, Prima Facie
• Thiyona Singh, Dear Em Embassador, youth advocate and law student
• Miffy Barling, HELP Auckland Court Support Advocate
• Dr Emily Henderson, legal academic researcher and former politician

The panel will be moderated by Kathryn McPhillips, Clinical Psychologist and Executive Director of HELP Auckland, a nationally recognised expert on sexual violence prevention and recovery.

“Every day at HELP, we see the barriers survivors face in seeking justice and the ways systems often fail them,” said McPhillips.

“Events like this create public conversations we urgently need, for us as a community to find the ways forward.”

The issue has never been more urgent:

• 2024 saw the highest number of sexual offence charges on record... With a total of 7,742 charges (an 11% increase on the previous year) and 3,526 convictions.
• 74% of the sexual offences related to children under 16 years of age.
• The 2023 New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey found over one in four New Zealand adults (27%) have experienced sexual assault in their lifetime.
• Reports of sexual assault at schools and universities have risen nearly 50% since 2019, according to police data.

HELP Auckland is also calling on the public to join their Do Something HELPful campaign — encouraging people to take on a personal challenge during May to raise funds and awareness for survivors. Fundraising ideas range from fitness challenges to random acts of kindness, all with the goal of funding vital crisis, therapy, and education services.

"As a society, we need to take urgent action to end sexual violence," said McPhillips.
"We’re inviting New Zealanders to stand with survivors by signing up to Do Something HELPful this May."

Event Details:

What: Prima Facie performance + expert panel discussion
When: Monday 5 May, 6.00pm
Where: Westpoint Performing Arts Centre, Western Springs, Auckland Tickets: $15 for students and $30 for adults, available at Eventbrite

Media are warmly invited to attend for free — interviews available on request.

Links:

• Do Something HELPful: dosomethinghelpful.org.nz
• HELP Auckland: helpauckland.org.nz
• Ali Mau asks New Zealanders to Do Something HELPful
• NZ Theatre Company: nztheatrecompany.com

© Scoop Media