LAW & YOUR RIGHTS

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It is important to understand the law around consent in Aotearoa New Zealand and also your rights.
 

• Crimes Act 1961. Section 128 and 128A clearly outline the law in relation to sexual violation and non-consensual sexual activity. http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1961/0043/137.0/DLM329057.html
   

• New Zealand Police: Understanding sexual assault and consent. https://www.police.govt.nz/advice-services/sexual-assault-and-consent/understanding-sexual-assault-and-consent
   

• New Zealand Police: Victim's Rights. Details your rights during an investigation.  http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/sexual-assault/victims-rights
   

• Stalking and harassment information page. Government information on stalking and harassment and restraining orders. https://www.govt.nz/browse/law-crime-and-justice/abuse-harassment-domestic-violence/stalking-and-harassment/
   

• Family Violence and Protection Orders. Ministry of Justice information from 2017 on how to obtain a protection order and what it means.
  https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/About-Family-Violence-and-Protection-Orders-Booklet.pdf
   

• Stealthing. This occurs when a condom is removed without consent during sexual intercourse. In these cases, a person may have consented to sex but only with the use of a condom. Here are prosecution details of a 2021 case.
  https://www.districtcourts.govt.nz/all-judgments/2021-nzdc-7422-r-v-campos/ 
   

• Rape Myths Article Rape myths as barriers to fair trial process: comparing adult rape trials with those in the Aotearoa Sexual Violence Court Pilot. (Elisabeth McDonald, 2020.)
  https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/18594