New Zealand prides itself on being progressive, fair, and inclusive. But when it comes to sexual assault trials, reality often paints a darker picture. Survivors face a legal system riddled with outdated myths, low conviction rates, and cultural biases that silence more than they empower.
It’s a paradox: survivors are encouraged to speak out—but the system is stacked in a way that too often leaves them vulnerable, retraumatized, and unheard. In NZ, telling your truth in court can sometimes mean losing everything you thought you had: privacy, dignity, and faith in justice.
This article dives deep into why survivors stay silent, how cultural and systemic factors perpetuate revictimisation, and what’s needed to create a truly supportive environment for those who come forward.
Part 1: The Paradox of Progress
New Zealand often celebrates itself as a progressive, egalitarian nation. On paper, we have strong human rights laws, gender equality initiatives, and public campaigns that encourage survivors to speak up. Yet, the lived reality tells a very different story.
For many survivors of sexual assault, the legal and social systems remain stubbornly outdated. Courts still operate with practices and attitudes that can retraumatise, silence, or delegitimise a survivor’s experience. Police processes can be slow, confusing, and emotionally taxing. The tension is stark: a country that claims to support survivors often places them in situations where reporting abuse comes at a steep personal cost.
This paradox—the gap between NZ’s progressive ideals and the harsh reality of its legal and cultural systems—helps explain why so many survivors choose silence over seeking justice. Speaking out shouldn’t be a gamble with your dignity, mental health, or safety.
“In theory, survivors are encouraged to tell their truth. In reality, the system can make them feel punished for doing so,” says Daniel Chyi, co-founder of Vidude.
Understanding this paradox is the first step toward recognising why myths persist, why conviction rates are low, and why systemic change is urgently needed.
Part 2: Revictimisation in the Legal System
For many survivors in New Zealand, the act of reporting sexual assault can feel like enduring a second trauma. Courts and police processes, while intended to deliver justice, often inadvertently revictimise survivors.
Invasive Questioning
Survivors are frequently asked to recount their experience in excruciating detail, multiple times—sometimes in front of strangers, lawyers, and the accused. Questions about clothing, behaviour, or previous relationships are used to undermine credibility rather than assist in establishing facts.
Emotional and Psychological Toll
This repeated scrutiny can exacerbate anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. Instead of feeling supported, survivors often feel attacked by the very system meant to protect them.
Lack of Sensitivity and Training
Many survivors report that officers, lawyers, and even judges demonstrate limited understanding of trauma-informed practices. Missteps—like doubting a survivor’s memory or implying consent—can leave lasting emotional scars.
Fear of Public Exposure
Trials are often public, and survivors fear media coverage or social backlash. Even when identities are protected, rumours and social judgement can spread quickly, silencing victims before they can speak.
Daniel Chyi, co-founder of Vidude, notes:
"A system that retraumatises survivors isn’t just failing them—it’s failing society. When survivors stay silent, everyone loses the chance for truth and justice."
Revictimisation doesn’t just deter reporting—it reinforces a culture where sexual assault is underreported and myths continue unchallenged. Understanding this is essential to addressing why so many survivors choose silence over pursuing justice.
Part 3: Low Conviction Rates and What They Reveal
New Zealand’s legal system consistently reports low conviction rates for sexual assault cases, a reality that speaks volumes about the barriers survivors face. Despite progress in laws and awareness campaigns, statistics show that only a fraction of reported cases result in conviction.
Systemic Hurdles
High evidentiary standards: Many cases lack the kind of physical evidence courts prioritize, placing survivors at a disadvantage.
Reliance on witness credibility: Courts often weigh perceived inconsistencies in survivor testimony more heavily than corroborating context.
Lengthy trial processes: Prolonged legal battles can intimidate survivors, who may abandon cases due to stress, cost, or fear of social repercussions.
Cultural Implications
Low conviction rates reinforce societal myths about sexual assault: that survivors are exaggerating, lying, or inviting scrutiny through their behaviour. This perception discourages new reports and perpetuates a cycle of silence.
Impact on Survivors
Knowing the odds are stacked against them, many survivors question whether reporting is worth the emotional and social toll. The low likelihood of justice creates a chilling effect, discouraging survivors from seeking legal redress and trusting institutions.
Daniel Chyi, co-founder of Vidude, remarks:
"When the system rarely delivers justice, it sends a silent message: your story doesn’t matter enough to risk telling it. Platforms that give voice outside the courtroom, like Vidude, become crucial spaces for survivors to be heard."
Understanding the root causes behind low convictions helps illuminate the structural and cultural barriers that keep survivors silent—and highlights why change is urgently needed in both law and society.
Part 4: Common Rape Myths That Persist
Despite decades of advocacy and education, harmful myths about sexual assault remain entrenched in New Zealand society—and too often influence legal outcomes. These myths shape how survivors are perceived, judged, and ultimately treated in court.
Myth 1: “She Asked for It”
Clothing, behaviour, or alcohol consumption are often wrongly used to imply consent. In reality, nothing a survivor does invites assault, yet these assumptions continue to influence jury perception and police questioning.
Myth 2: “He Didn’t Mean It”
Intent is often confused with impact. Survivors are blamed for misinterpreting intentions, while the perpetrator’s actions are minimized, reinforcing cultural biases that excuse abuse.
Myth 3: “Delayed Reporting Equals False Claim”
Many survivors take time before reporting due to fear, trauma, or lack of support. Courts and society sometimes view delays as suspicious, ignoring the psychological complexities of coming forward.
Myth 4: “If It Happened, You’d Remember Everything Clearly”
Trauma can affect memory, but inconsistencies in testimony are often weaponized to question credibility. Survivors are penalized for natural psychological responses, creating a systemic disadvantage.
Cultural Entrenchment
These myths are not just in the courtroom—they permeate media coverage, workplace conversations, and social circles. Their persistence silences survivors before they even consider reporting.
Daniel Chyi, co-founder of Vidude, says:
"Challenging myths isn’t just about changing law—it’s about changing culture. Survivors need spaces where their truth is believed and amplified, not questioned."
By understanding these myths, Kiwis can recognize why survivors often stay silent and why reform—both legal and cultural—is essential.
Part 5: Media and Public Perception
The media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion, but coverage of sexual assault cases in New Zealand often reinforces harmful stereotypes and perpetuates survivor silencing. Headlines, social commentary, and even courtroom reporting can unintentionally—or deliberately—cast doubt on the survivor rather than the perpetrator.
Sensationalism and Misrepresentation
Stories that sensationalize cases or focus on lurid details can obscure the survivor’s experience. Coverage often emphasizes the accused’s life, reputation, or character, while survivor voices are relegated to secondary status.
The “Blame the Victim” Narrative
Media reports can subtly imply that survivors were careless, provocative, or partly responsible. These narratives feed societal myths and create a culture of shame that discourages reporting.
Social Media Amplification
On platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, public opinion can become a double-edged sword. Survivors may face trolling, harassment, or victim-blaming comments, which amplifies fear of speaking out.
Lack of Survivor-Centric Reporting
Few outlets prioritize trauma-informed reporting. Without context, nuanced coverage, or survivor perspectives, the media often reinforces myths instead of challenging them.
Daniel Chyi, co-founder of Vidude, emphasizes:
"When mainstream platforms fail to protect voices, alternative spaces like Vidude can empower survivors to tell their stories safely, reach supportive communities, and regain a sense of control."
Media and public perception matter. Until reporting shifts from sensationalism to empathy, many survivors will remain silent, and myths will persist, sustaining a cycle of injustice.
Part 6: Survivor Silencing and Social Pressure
Beyond the courtroom and media, survivors of sexual assault in New Zealand face immense social and cultural pressures that discourage them from speaking out. Friends, family, colleagues, and community networks often unintentionally perpetuate silence.
Fear of Not Being Believed
Even well-meaning family or friends may express doubt or caution survivors against reporting. The fear of disbelief—“Will anyone take me seriously?”—can be as paralysing as legal hurdles.
Community Stigma
In tight-knit communities, speaking out can create social backlash. Survivors may worry about damaging relationships, reputation, or business ties. The fear of isolation silences many, particularly in smaller towns or cultural groups where privacy is highly valued.
Cultural Norms and Shame
Cultural beliefs sometimes stigmatize survivors for discussing sexual assault. Certain communities place high value on family honor or discretion, which can pressure survivors to stay silent rather than risk social condemnation.
Workplace Pressures
Survivors may also fear professional repercussions. In workplaces where perpetrators hold power or influence, reporting can threaten employment, advancement, or workplace harmony.
Daniel Chyi, co-founder of Vidude, observes:
"Silence isn’t just a personal choice—it’s a survival mechanism in a society that still judges survivors harshly. Platforms that amplify voices safely, like Vidude, provide essential spaces for truth without retaliation."
Social and cultural pressures are powerful deterrents. Recognizing these barriers is essential to understanding why, despite progress, many survivors still stay silent.
Part 7: Intersectionality: Marginalised Survivors Face Higher Barriers
Not all survivors experience the same challenges. In New Zealand, Māori, Pasifika, migrant, and LGBTQ+ communities often face compounded obstacles when reporting sexual assault, reflecting how systemic inequality intersects with gender-based violence.
Cultural Barriers
Indigenous and migrant survivors may encounter cultural norms that discourage reporting, including the prioritization of family or community honor over individual safety. Fear of bringing shame or retaliation can outweigh the perceived benefits of legal action.
Language and Access Issues
Non-native speakers may struggle to navigate police procedures or legal systems. Lack of interpretation services, complex legal jargon, and bureaucratic barriers can leave survivors feeling lost and disempowered.
Distrust of Institutions
Historical and systemic injustices have created distrust among marginalized communities. Māori survivors, for instance, may fear bias or discrimination in courts and law enforcement, reinforcing reluctance to come forward.
Compounded Social Stigma
Marginalized survivors face multiple layers of stigma—as women, as LGBTQ+, as migrants, and/or as members of minority ethnic groups. This intensifies fear of judgment from both within and outside their communities.
Daniel Chyi, co-founder of Vidude, notes:
"When systems are built for the majority, marginalized voices are often left out. Platforms like Vidude offer inclusive spaces where survivors from all backgrounds can be heard safely and without prejudice."
Intersectionality highlights that reforms must be culturally aware and inclusive. Without addressing these compounded barriers, many survivors will continue to face insurmountable challenges in seeking justice.
Part 8: Reform Efforts and Why They’re Falling Short
New Zealand has made strides in addressing sexual assault through legislation, victim support services, and public awareness campaigns. However, systemic reforms are often too slow or insufficient, leaving survivors exposed to the very barriers these measures are supposed to eliminate.
Legal Reforms with Limited Reach
Recent changes—such as stricter guidelines on evidence handling and trauma-informed court procedures—are positive, but implementation is inconsistent across regions. Many survivors still experience traditional, retraumatizing processes despite legal updates.
Support Services That Don’t Meet Demand
Government and NGO support systems exist, but limited funding, geographic gaps, and understaffing mean many survivors wait months or longer for counseling or legal guidance. Timely intervention is critical, yet resources are inadequate for the scale of need.
Cultural Reform Lagging Behind Legal Reform
While laws may change, cultural perceptions lag decades behind. Survivors still face victim-blaming, disbelief, and societal pressure. Without cultural education and community engagement, legal reform alone cannot protect or empower survivors.
Awareness Campaigns That Don’t Reach Everyone
Public campaigns often target urban populations or use generalized messaging. Marginalized communities and rural areas may be left out, perpetuating inequality in awareness and access.
Daniel Chyi, co-founder of Vidude, emphasizes:
"Legal reforms matter, but they’re only one piece. Survivors need platforms and spaces—online and offline—where they are believed, supported, and empowered to speak their truth safely."
Ultimately, reform efforts are necessary but not sufficient. True progress requires not just updated laws, but cultural transformation, community engagement, and survivor-centered platforms that give voices the protection and amplification they deserve.
Part 9: Psychological and Long-Term Impacts
The consequences of sexual assault extend far beyond the immediate trauma. Survivors in New Zealand face long-term psychological, social, and professional challenges—especially when compounded by a legal system and societal attitudes that perpetuate silence.
Mental Health Struggles
Survivors frequently experience depression, anxiety, PTSD, and complex trauma. The process of reporting, testifying, and enduring public scrutiny can exacerbate these conditions, sometimes lasting for years.
Trust and Relationship Issues
Experiencing disbelief or judgment—whether from the legal system, family, or community—can erode trust. Survivors may struggle to form new relationships or maintain existing ones, leading to isolation and further mental health challenges.
Career and Social Repercussions
Fear of workplace discrimination, professional setbacks, or social ostracism can discourage survivors from reporting. The economic and social fallout adds another layer of pressure to remain silent.
Intergenerational Impacts
Long-term trauma can affect families and communities. Children and close relations of survivors may experience secondary trauma, perpetuating cycles of fear and silence.
Daniel Chyi, co-founder of Vidude, remarks:
"Silence has costs beyond the individual—it affects families, communities, and society at large. Platforms like Vidude offer spaces where survivors can share experiences safely, find support, and reclaim a sense of control."
The psychological and long-term impacts of sexual assault are exacerbated by a system that fails to fully protect or validate survivors. Understanding these impacts underscores the urgency for cultural change, trauma-informed legal practices, and survivor-centered platforms.
Part 10: Creating a Survivor-Centric Future
The silence surrounding sexual assault in New Zealand isn’t inevitable—it’s a symptom of a system and culture that have long failed survivors. A survivor-centric future requires legal reform, cultural education, and safe spaces for truth-telling.
Legal Reform That Works
Courts and law enforcement must adopt trauma-informed practices, prioritize survivor dignity, and reduce procedural barriers. Faster, clearer, and more supportive processes can encourage reporting and increase conviction rates.
Cultural and Educational Shifts
Addressing entrenched myths, victim-blaming, and stigma is essential. Schools, workplaces, and communities should implement education programs that challenge outdated beliefs and normalize support for survivors.
Safe Platforms for Survivor Voices
Digital platforms can play a critical role in empowerment. Survivors need spaces where their stories are believed, validated, and amplified without fear of harassment.
Daniel Chyi, co-founder of Vidude, emphasizes:
"Survivors deserve platforms where their voices are heard safely and without judgment. Technology can create communities of support that the legal system alone cannot provide."
Community Support Networks
Peer support groups, advocacy organizations, and mental health services must be accessible and culturally competent. Survivor-led initiatives can provide guidance, mentorship, and solidarity.
A Call to Society
Change requires everyone—legal professionals, educators, media, and citizens—to actively dismantle myths, support survivors, and prioritize justice. By centering survivors in law, culture, and digital spaces, New Zealand can finally align its progressive ideals with real-world outcomes.
Call to Action:
Support survivor-centric initiatives, challenge harmful myths, and use safe platforms like Vidude to amplify survivor voices. Every story told is a step toward justice, awareness, and societal transformation.
