Women around 20 most likely sex assault targets, says agency

Young women remain the most common targets of sexual assault in New Zealand, an Auckland support agency said today.

The Auckland Sexual Abuse Help Foundation (HELP) said 70 per cent of its callouts came from females aged 11 to 25.

Meanwhile, international studies showed that females between 16 and 24 were four times more likely to be sexually assaulted than any other demographic group.

Foundation spokeswoman Kathryn McPhillips said the figures were the tip of the iceberg. A lot of sexual violence was not reported and few of the complaints that were made resulted in convictions.

"Communities need to realise that sexual violence is a mainstream problem and not just a women's issue," she said.

"Many of us know at least one person who has been raped, assaulted or abused, and there are many more who have never spoken about their experiences."

Ms McPhillips said some women complained of feeling pressured to finish counselling before they were ready.

"When government funding runs out, the agencies that do exist are left to pick up the bill."

The Government had made progress with its introduction last year of an action plan to reduce community and sexual violence, she said.

In a separate development in December, ACC and the foundation entered into a $200,000 contract for a one-year pilot programme targeting sexual abuse.

Ms McPhillips said the next step was to improve access of services to the public and to increase understanding of the issues.

Meanwhile, the foundation is embarking on what, for it, will be a novel fundraiser next month with a charity art auction to coincide with Rape Awareness Week.

- NZPA