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New website hopes to empower young women against sexual violence

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 13 Jun 2016, 7:19AM
Photo / File
Photo / File

New website hopes to empower young women against sexual violence

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 13 Jun 2016, 7:19AM

It's hoped a new website will empower young women when it comes to sexual consent.

Statistics show 16 to 24-year-olds are four times more at risk of sexual assault than any other age group in New Zealand.

That's among the reasons for the creation of the website dearem.co.nz - a safe space for help, support and advice.

Co-creator Eddy Royal from social change agency Curative said in the process, many young women told them they're being coerced into things they don't want to do, by boyfriends or other people they know.

"They don't necessarily name that as assault or rape, in fact they feel that they were responsible or they put themselves in those situations, when really they were doing something against their will.

"A big reason our young women don't disclose, or don't feel they can disclose, is because of the fear of the judgement that they might receive - the victim blaming, the slut shaming, and it's really important that we stop and change that attitude and behaviour."

Ms Royal said they want to improve understanding about what sexual harm is and what to do when it occurs.

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