Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

25% of New Zealand Adults Face Sexual Assault: Urgent Reforms Needed

12/3/2025

23 2

Summary

Story summary

A report finds nearly 25% of adults in New Zealand experienced sexual assault.
The report calls for four reforms: fix the justice system to reduce under-reporting; redefine consent; address harms of deepfakes; and ban virginity testing.
Senior researcher Sarah Bell says consent should shift from 'no means no' to 'yes means yes'.
The conclusion draws parallels to past bans, such as female genital mutilation, and urges swift legal action.

1 of 1

Story summary

A report finds nearly 25% of adults in New Zealand experienced sexual assault.
The report calls for four reforms: fix the justice system to reduce under-reporting; redefine consent; address harms of deepfakes; and ban virginity testing.
Senior researcher Sarah Bell says consent should shift from 'no means no' to 'yes means yes'.
The conclusion draws parallels to past bans, such as female genital mutilation, and urges swift legal action.