MEDIA RELEASE

12 year old girl fights off attacker

The Girls’ Self Defence Project congratulates the 12 year old girl in Lower Hutt who successfully fought off an attack and attempted abduction last night. “Her courageous response to this attack is very impressive” said Project spokeswoman Alison Broad. “From our understanding of what happened, she did everything right. She fought off the attacker and escaped to safety. It appears she was also able to give a clear description of the offender.”

The Girls’ Self Defence Project has taught self defence to thousands of girls in the Wellington area, including the Hutt, over the past 17 years. “We strongly believe in the importance of women and girls in our communities being taught how to keep safe from violence and abuse” said Ms Broad.

“It is always disturbing to hear of any attacks on girls and young women. But it is a relief to hear when girls and women successfully thwart the attack” said Ms Broad.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>