Louise Nicholas showed a rare form of courage. (Herald on Sunday)
Louise Nicholas showed a rare form of courage. (Herald on Sunday)
One contribution stood out clearly in 2007. It was distinguished by courage of a rare kind - the willingness to suffer deeply personal exposure for the sake of exposing an ugly element in one of our most important public institutions.
Louise Nicholas was brought up like most New Zealanders torespect the police. Her illusions were shattered early by rape at the hands of a town constable. Feeling powerless and afraid, she was then used by policemen with a predilection for group sex.
When she found the courage to formally complain, she trusted a senior detective who deceived her, poisoning prosecutions to cover up for his mates.
One of the alleged pack rapists had been promoted to the rank of assistant commissioner of police.
Mrs Nicholas had to tell her story in court, her word against two former policemen and the assistant commissioner. The jury was not allowed to know the first two were already in jail for a similar act.
The information available to juries was brought under discussion and the low rate of convictions in rape prosecutions starkly illustrated.
Louise Nicholas and her family endured a public ordeal for the sake of truth, justice and human decency and never wavered. She is our New Zealander of the year for 2007.
