Sisters denied exposing identity of abuser

The sisters launched landmark legal action to try to expose the identity of a man who sexually abused them when they were aged between 10 and 14 in the 1970s. Photo / Supplied

The New Zealand justice system is "stacked against" sexual assault victims, say two sisters disappointed by a judge's decision not to quash name suppression for a man who sexually abused them 40 years ago.

Christchurch sisters Karen Beaumont and Anne-Marie Forsyth launched landmark legal action to try to expose the identity of a man who sexually abused them when they were aged between 10 and 14 in the 1970s.

After a judicial review at the High Court in Christchurch, Justice Cameron Mander rejected their bid in a decision released last month.

Today Ms Beaumont and Ms Forsyth have spoken for the first time about their "disappointment in the system to uphold justice and protect potential future sexual assault victims".

"No one knows what goes on in the shadows," said Ms Beaumont.

"That's the whole point and why name suppression is so very wrong."

It has been two decades since the man, known in court only as 'A', was convicted and the judge said publication of his name now would likely cause him "extreme hardship".

Publication of his name after such a long period would be "quite out of the ordinary", Justice Mander concluded.

The sisters believe the public has a right to know the man's identity.

"The judge treated this like some private dispute between him and us," said Ms Forsyth.

"But we weren't doing this for our benefit. The public needs far more awareness of how these manipulative predators get away with this activity."

Ms Beaumont and Ms Forsyth also doubt whether they can raise enough money by Wednesday to appeal Justice Mander's decision.

The sisters believe they have "really good grounds" for an appeal but feel the "system is stacked against us".

"We're ordinary people, who fundraised for the High Court case, but sausage sizzles and extending our own mortgages are sadly not enough," Ms Beaumont said.

Survivor advocate Ruth Money said the way victims are treated by the justice system was "appalling".

"How will this country ever win the fight against child sex abuse when even the courts bend over backwards to hide the offenders?"

Even if they don't appeal, the sisters have vowed to educate people on the evils of child abuse.

"I am determined that Karen and I haven't gone through all this for nothing," said Ms Forsyth.

* https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/notmyshame

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