Louise Nicholas. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
An advocate for sexual violence victims says the court's decision to grant a Rotorua rapist permanent name suppression is frustrating but understandable.
The Rotorua businessman was found guilty of rape at the Rotorua District Court in August of last year, and sentenced in February. He was granted permanent name suppression in March.
Louise Nicholas, from the Louise Nicholas Trust for sexual violence survivors, said the decision to grant the man name suppression was not about protecting him.
"It is a blow," she said. "It is difficult that suppression has been given for this businessman, but we understand why, and it is to protect others around them.
"But it is frustrating to be honest, because when somebody has committed a crime like this, we believe in the safety of the community for people to know who that is."
Nicholas said they would like the judiciary to have a better understanding of the impact of giving full name suppression to a convicted rapist.
She did not think the victim would be happy with the decision, but believed she too would understand.
"For her, the fact she was able to, at sentencing, read her victim impact statement to him about the impact of his offending and how it has just devastated her life, that alone is a lot of power on her behalf," Nicholas said.
"At the end of the day, he was found guilty, and he's serving some big time on that, and hopefully he gets the help that he needs so when he does return into the community he does so not doing this stuff again.
The man's lawyer Tim Braithwaite said the conviction was being appealed.
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