A Muslim woman's submission on the challenges ethnic communities face when confronted with sexual violence and the "myths" that surround rape has impressed a group of lawmakers.
Fariya Begum, who works at the Shama Hamilton Ethnic Women's Centre Charitable Trust, praised parts of the proposed Sexual Violence Legislation Bill, aimed at improving the justice response to victims of sexual violence.
But she asked the Justice Select Committee to go further and make more interpreters available for victims of sexual assault in ethnic communities who she said are often too afraid to even come forward.
"Understanding and communication will be most effective," Begum said, adding that having access to an interpreter for those in ethnic communities is "vital".
Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice (Domestic and Sexual Violence Issues) Jan Logie, who is leading the law changes, told Newshub Begum's request for more interpeters is not part of the legislation but will be considered.
Begum also discussed the myths that surround rape victims, such as the "clothing women wear, enticement, and men not being able to control themselves and drinking alcohol".
She told the committee: "We urge you to consider that there are additional things that people from diverse cultures are subject to in relation to sexual violence.
"We know there are stereotypes such as Latin women being easy, Asian women doing anything for money, Indian women being naturally submissive, and that people who have migrated here recently will lie in order to stay in the country."
She also touched on "myths about virginity and purity that mean women who are sexually active have already broken the social contract that keeps them safe from rape".
Tim Macindoe, National MP for Hamilton West, described Fariya Begum's submission to the Justice Select Committee as "compelling" and thanked her for the work she does in his electorate.
Begum said she appreciates the efforts the Bill makes to address rape, but said more needs to be done, because racism is "embedded in sexual violence".
She said she had members of ethnic communities come to her and admit they had not disclosed sexual violence out of "fear of losing their visa status and this fear is likely to be higher now".
Begum expressed concern about an international student in New Zealand who nearly had her visa cancelled recently following an alleged rape.
The unnamed woman who moved to New Zealand from China in 2015 had her enrolment at Auckland University terminated in December last year, following her admission to a mental health unit where the rape allegedly occurred.
She was then told by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) that she no longer met the criteria for her student visa and that she had five days to leave the country. INZ later said her deportation was put on hold while she sought advice.
"The situation highlights the ways our systems are failing these people," Begum said.
She said ethnic communities - those other than Pakeha, Maori and Pasifika - need to be able to understand the options available to them when they are faced with sexual violence.
"We cannot afford to let down our most vulnerable people."
Recent research in New Zealand showed that for every 100 sexual violence incidents reported to police, just six people were imprisoned. And for every 100 sexual violence incidents, only 31 made it to court, and 11 resulted in a conviction.
Logie announced the research in November and said the results were "not good enough".
The Green Party MP is leading the proposed changes for how the justice system responds to victims of sexual violence in New Zealand.
The Government announced $320 million over four years in Budget 2019 to fight family and sexual violence, $32.8 million of which is to improve the justice system's response to sexual violence victims.
The Government is already progressing with some recommendations made by the Law Commission, including tighter rules around evidence about a complainant's sexual history.
