Warning: This article discusses rape and contains details that may disturb.
The third man who stood trial with the Jaz brothers in the Mama Hooch sex crimes was on Friday discharged without conviction, walking away from court with permanent name suppression.
He engaged in group sex with a woman and Roberto Jaz, who was found guilty of drugging and raping her in the same encounter.
Of all the women in the two-month trial, she was the only one found to be raped.
While she also has permanent name suppression, she has bravely spoken out and given Newshub permission to use a full transcript of her remarks. The transcript is below:
The hardest part isn't the fact that he has no punishment for his only guilty charge - it's the fact that he is a free man regardless of the acts he committed against women - that this man genuinely believes the way he treated women was acceptable and the verdicts just solidified that in his mind. This man, who is out living among the public, may continue to treat women the same because there have been no repercussions.
This man also knew the extent of the harm that was happening to women and did absolutely nothing about it for the years the assaults were occurring. He not only hurt women, he enabled further harm.
If he genuinely believes that he was not a guilty party in the events that occurred, we as a society have failed in teaching simple human decency. This man should live his life knowing that he has ruined lives, despite the verdicts.
- Newshub: Were you in any position to consent that evening?
I don't think I even need to answer this question. The whole reason women went forward against these men is because they committed non-consensual acts against women and incapacitated them to take what they wanted, without the women's consent.
The court process was absolutely traumatising and until you have been questioned past moral acceptability and your deepest, darkest life memories are thrown in front of you for shock factor and emotional ammo, nobody will understand the pain the women experienced getting up on that stand.
I had conditioned myself to prepare for the worst-case scenario (a not guilty verdict) from the beginning after looking at Aotearoa sexual assault statistics.
However, for me to get on with my life I cannot put any more energy into the things that I cannot change. I have to grieve, accept this outcome and move on with my life and just pray he learns that his behaviour is unacceptable and hope that he doesn't hurt anyone else.
I'm just trying to stay afloat mentally, just like everyone else involved. We all have lives to get back to after this is all over, and juggling/revisiting trauma while trying to get on with life has definitely been tough. There is comfort in knowing that I'm not alone and all of the women who went forward are so brave and I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it prevented other women from harm. I'm so lucky to have such a strong support system.
They keep me afloat when I struggle to tackle the tough days.
Where to find help and support:
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
