Male rape victim tells of barman's attack

A 22-year-old Christchurch man remembers waking briefly as he was violated by a barman who plied him with free drinks then raped him after he passed out.

This week, the 28-year-old barman, John Stanley Lawrence, was convicted in the Christchurch District Court of sexually violating the 22-year-old as he lay comatose in the bar.

Lawrence gave the victim - whom the Weekend Herald cannot name - free beer and shots of spirits after he became separated from his friends and drunkenly wandered into the Chameleon Bar in the early hours of the morning.

The victim remembers only waking up as he was being sodomised, and said he gave no consent to any sexual acts. When the attack was over, he said, he was pushed out the door of the bar.

Lawrence was remanded in custody for sentencing next week. Judge Colin Doherty warned him: "For convictions such as these, a significant term will be imposed."

In May, Auckland restaurateur Phillip Sturm was sentenced to nine years in prison for sexually violating three men he plied with drugs and alcohol.

Cases like this may seem rare, but Anne Sheard, manager of the Sexual Abuse Survivors Trust, says men are much less likely than women to report having been sexually attacked.

"Often it seems to be a great threat to their masculinity. They also may not feel they will be believed, because it is often thought only women and children are victims of sexual assault."

Sergeant Jason Stewart, who led the investigation into Lawrence's offence, says the fact that the victim was drunk did not make what happened "in any way his fault".

"There was a predator in a position of responsibility and he took advantage of that. These type of people crop up in all walks of life and are convicted for offences you wouldn't expect."

Hospitality Association chief executive Bruce Robertson said the cases of Lawrence and Sturm were regrettable, but appeared to be isolated.

"It's not as if it is a wave or epidemic. There is a risk with every sector of society of having the odd bad egg. As with anywhere in society, you need to be sensible and look after your mates.

"The sad thing is that society isn't perfect and we are never going to be able to stop every incident. It shouldn't stop people going out and having a good time."

Sergeant Stewart said people out drinking should keep an eye on their drinks and their friends.