Women’s Refuge applauds Louise Nicholas

Women’s Refuge has applauded the bravery of Louise Nicholas in her lengthy battle for justice and hopes it will give other women strength and some renewed faith in the police and the courts.

The Chief Executive of the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges, Heather Henare, says the years spent by Mrs Nicholas pursuing her case have been a very sad indictment on some members of the police and a culture that allowed such appalling and criminal behaviour.

However, Ms Henare says the conviction of former Chief Inspector John Dewar shows that justice can be achieved.

“Louise Nicholas has thanked the decent police officers that she says toiled away for three years to carry out their duty in this case against Dewar.”

“Like her, I hope the outcome helps restore the faith and trust of some women in the police in this country – faith and trust that at times has been very battered and badly betrayed.”

“It is absolutely vital that women and their children suffering from any sort of violence in their lives can have the confidence to know police will carry out their jobs, protect them and ensure that the people responsible, regardless of who they are, face justice.”

“There has been so much talk in the past week about what society needs to do about violence, and one thing that is vital is knowing that victims can come forward and seek help, without being revictimised and abused by the very system that is meant to be there working for them.”

Ms Henare says breaking the cycle of violence involves work at all levels, including ensuring the proper behaviours and responses of people in positions of power and authority.

ENDS

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