Activists celebrate success in ‘Roast Busters’ campaign

Tuesday, 25 November 2014, 12:57 pm
Press Release: ActionStation

25 November 2014

Activists celebrate success in ‘Roast Busters’ campaign

Activist community ActionStation is today celebrating the success of their campaign to force a review into the lack of charges in the ‘Roast Busters’ case, after the Minister of Justice announced the re-opening of work to improve the justice system for sexual violence victims.

The petition to the Ministers of Justice and Police was signed by nearly 8,000 New Zealanders and called for an open-ended review that would combat the lack of justice seen in the ‘Roast Busters’ case.

“This is exactly what our members wanted,” says Campaign Director Nicole Skews, “we know there are failings in the justice system that continue to allow an absence of charges in cases where there was clearly significant harm done, but we also know that there are experts with research on how to improve this.”

“The Law Commission began work on improving the justice system for survivors of sexual violence in 2011, but their work was halted by the Government. It is fantastic to see it started again after we pressured the Ministers to do so. We also want to acknowledge the huge amount of work done by individuals like Jessie Hume and the grass-roots ‘Bust Rape Culture’ movement who were all working towards the same goal.”

ActionStation members invited the Ministers of Justice and Police to meet with them to discuss their petition, but after the announcement this morning, Minister Amy Adams declined their invitation as it was no longer needed.

“It’s really clear our members have been heard by decision makers, and our demand for justice has been successful,” says Skews “we hope that the outcome of the review will allow any ‘Roast Busters’ survivors to feel more supported in pressing charges, should they still wish to do so.”

Petition link: www.actionstation.org.nz/roastbusters

ENDS

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