It's Rape Awareness Week and a lack of reaction from all quarters has sparked comment from an organisation which provides sexual violence prevention programmes.
Rape Prevention Education (RPE) director Dr Kim McGregor says the sexual abuse of children is occurring daily around New Zealand and silence is a big reason why it continues.
"Where is the public outrage about the rape of our children and young people?
"It is Rape Awareness Week so where are the government statements, policies about how they intend to tackle the extremely high levels of sexual violation of our children and young people," McGregor asks.
She says offenders stay quiet to avoid punishment while children and families are silenced by guilt, fear, threats or confusion.
"Most sex offenders are living with us and our children in our communities because less than 10% of crimes of sexual violence are reported to police, and of that small number only about 10 in 100 cases will (see) the sex offender convicted."
McGregor says it is up to communities to protect children.
RPE, along with survivor advocates Louise Nicholas and Aaron Gilmore, is using Rape Awareness Week to launch a fundraising campaign to help combat sex violence and abuse.
The organisation estimates that a $3 donation will help them educate one New Zealander about how to identify the warning signs of predatory and grooming behaviour and how to safely respond.
Text "End rape" to 849 to donate $3 or to donate any amount visit www.rapecrisis.org.nz
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