interventions to reduce violence and to ensure that they are adjusted and
extended as required on the basis of robust empirical evidence; and
take legislative and regulatory measures as appropriate to ensure that
workplace policies support employees who are experiencing family violence
consider inclusion of strategies for business to support employees who are
exposed to family or sexual violence.
Roastbusters
137
In early November 2013 stories about the sexual activities of a group of young men
in Auckland who referred to themselves as Roastbusters gained worldwide media
attention. The young men allegedly intoxicated young women (under the age of 16)
and engaged in sexual conduct with them.
138
The New Zealand Police had received reports of concern about four separate
incidents involving the Roastbusters between 2011 and early 2013. None of these
resulted in criminal charges being laid.
139
The alleged behaviour and the lack of Police action garnered public outrage. On 16
November 2013 numerous protests were held across New Zealand’s major cities to
speak out against rape culture, the police mishandling of the case, victim blaming
and inadequate funding for rape crisis centres and educational programmes set up
focusing on consent, and rape prevention and awareness.
140
The IPCA was asked by the Minister of Police to conduct an inquiry into Police
actions in this case. In March 2015 the IPCA released its report.79 The IPCA found
that “while existing Police child protection policy and investigation is sound,” the
Police failed in several significant areas to meet the requirements of a good criminal
investigation.80
141
In particular the IPCA concluded that there was a lack of emphasis on prevention in
the investigations. The IPCA stated in its report that:81
…all of the Police officers involved in these matters treated the young women and
their families with courtesy and compassion, and ensured that they were afforded
both dignity and privacy. Officers were clearly victim-focused and motivated to act in
accordance with the victims’ wishes, and in their best interests. The Authority does
not question the appropriateness and importance of this focus, and recognizes the
substantial improvements in policing practice that have effected in the last decade.
However, it is concerned that in several of these cases, because officers concluded
79
IPCA, Report on Police’s Handling of the alleged offending by ‘Roastbusters’, Wellington (March 2015).
Ibid at 33.
81
Ibid at 14.
80
Page 39 of 93
Human Rights Commission submission to the Human Rights Committee in relation to New Zealand’s 6th periodic review under the ICCPR