KEY POINTS:
Five women who allege sexual misconduct by former policeman Brad Shipton want Government action to address their claims because they feel "wholly unsatisfied" with the commission of inquiry into the police, a lawyer says.
Vinay Deobhakta of Tauranga said yesterday the five had approached him since the trial of another former officer, John Dewar, saying they had gained no closure from the inquiry into police misconduct.
"They've asked me for legal advice, and what they would like to do is to address their dissatisfaction."
Mr Deobhakta said the women were not yet sure of the action they wanted to take, but it was possible they would approach Prime Minister Helen Clark directly, as she had voiced sympathy for all women whose claims had formed the basis of the inquiry.
"We will not hesitate to take advantage of that avenue," he said.
Mr Deobhakta acts as a support person for Louise Nicholas, whose allegations of sexual crimes and a cover-up by police sparked the inquiry, and Donna Johnson, who claims Shipton took advantage of her vulnerability as a victim of incest to force her into sex.
Both women were present when Mr Deobhakta spoke to the Herald and said they would support the five in whatever action they took.
Mrs Nicholas said that by coming forward the women had helped commission of inquiry head Dame Margaret Bazley formulate a list of 60 recommendations for the police that were positive, but they had gained nothing personally and were suffering.
"I feel for them because they've gone through so much," she said.
"It's up to the powers-that-be to front up and say, 'How can we help?"'
Ms Johnson said legal costs made it difficult for many women, including her, to pursue claims individually.
"The accused gets legal aid, but the complainant doesn't."
Compounding the problems was the fact that some women were unable to work because of stress resulting from the abuse inflicted on them.
Mr Deobhakta said the five women who approached him had all made historic allegations against Shipton, who was convicted of the rape of a Mt Maunganui woman in 1989 but cleared of raping Mrs Nicholas several years earlier.
"He was the common nucleus."
Mr Deobhakta is now focusing on businesses outside the law and has advised the women to seek legal representation to resolve their claims.
As a result of covering up Mrs Nicholas' allegations of rape, Dewar was sentenced in July to 4 1/2 years in prison.
Police did not lay charges against Shipton in relation to Ms Johnson's claims but she was interviewed by the commission of inquiry.
