Sexual Violence Prevention and Intervention Network appalled at group promoting legalisation of rape

A national network of sexual violence prevention and intervention agencies are calling on the NZ Police to respond to ‘Neomasculinist’ group meet-ups, which are planned in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin this weekend.

“The possibility of men meeting in New Zealand to talk about how to rape women and to ‘legalise rape on private property’ is frightening,” says Claire Lyons, spokesperson from national network of sexual violence organisation, TOAH-NNEST.

“I think the NZ Police should be interested in this character Valizadeh from the USA who speaks hate and promotes heinous crime against women. Should these meetings be considered potential criminal activities? Our concern is that talking about the legalisation of rape slips into the planning of rape and we would like to hear from the NZ Police to assure public safety,” she says.

“It’s really scary,” says TOAH-NNEST National Survivor Advocate, Louise Nicholas. “This kind of activity encourages the misunderstanding some people have of sexual violence. It’s a huge concern as it encourages more violence as well as extremist behaviour.”

TOAH-NNEST has member agencies all over the country who work hard to end sexual violence in New Zealand. It says the idea people are actively promoting rape is disheartening. “Fortunately, we know from our work in communities that the great majority of men in New Zealand would find such extremist and hateful views as abhorrent as we do,” says Ms Lyons.

ENDS

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