Courageous women succeed at getting the Michael Te Huia behind bars

There’s no doubt it required an enormous amount of courage for the victims of Michael Te Huia to testify against him. All three of his victims were very young (15, 17, and 15) and vulnerable when they met Te Huia. All three were manipulated by him into becoming isolated and trapped in a relationship with him that involved near-daily beatings and rape.

Jill Proudfoot, Shine Client Services Director, says, “With the level of fear that he would have instilled in each of his victims, it is remarkable that any of them found the courage to stand up and speak out, and it is a testament to their willpower and inner strength.”

Far too often in New Zealand, professionals involved in the criminal justice system demonstrate a lack of understanding of the complex dynamics of domestic violence, and place at least some of the blame for abuse on the victims, which is not only unhelpful, but can be dangerous in terms of the decisions that result.

Proudfoot says, “Justice Duffy's summary of this case is a breath of fresh air. She demonstrates a very clear understanding of what made Te Huia's victims so vulnerable - their youth, impoverished backgrounds, small physiques, etc., and how they became trapped in a relationship with Te Huia by overwhelming fear.”

A sentence of 19 years imprisonment, with a requirement to serve at least half of that time, is a relatively long sentence in New Zealand for crimes that do not include homicide.

“Although Te Huia’s sentence is significant, it is hard to see it as nearly long enough for the heinous crimes committed against these three women over many, many years, and the price that they have paid with their physical and emotional wellbeing, and the years taken from them,” says Proudfoot.

ENDS

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