Police are investigating a Wellington man over "multiple complaints" of assault, which RNZ understands relate to sex crimes. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King;
Warning: This story contains descriptions of sexual assault and violence which some may find disturbing.
A woman who alleges she was assaulted and raped by a man currently under investigation by Wellington police says she believes a decision not to fight her attacker may have spared her from even worse violence.
Police are investigating a Wellington man over "multiple complaints" of assault, which RNZ understands relate to sex crimes.
Two women - who did not want to be named - told RNZ they had connected following a social media post about the man which has since been deleted.
They said the post prompted several women to share information about the man, including allegations of rape, violence and use of alcohol or drugs to subdue victims.
Concern over violent attacks
One of the women said she believed the man had used her social media account to strike up conversation about supposed mutual friends when they first met.
She said the man had offered to take her home after a party but once they were alone he assaulted and raped her.
"He noticed I was really drunk, and he said, 'I'll take you home'. A friend of mine told me not to go.
"He hit me over the head and - when I was on the floor - he strangled me," she said.
The woman said she had been a victim of sexual assault earlier in her life and, rather than risk further violence, she did not fight back as the man raped her.
Do you know more? Email bill.hickman@rnz.co.nz
A post about the man - which has since been deleted - resulted in several woman sharing their stories of similar attacks.
The woman said hearing the other women's stories made her fearful the man's behaviour was escalating.
"He enjoys violence. I found out from other girls, if they fought back, it made him more excited," she said.
'I had no control of my body' - alleged victim
Another woman said she suspected the man had used drugs to subdue her in a separate assault.
"I'd been drinking - but I was still coherent - but when I was with him something felt different. It was heavier. It was like I had no control of my body," the woman said.
She said she could remember slipping in and out of consciousness as she was taken to an isolated area.
"I remember being naked and I'm like 'why am I naked?'.
"It was violent. I was on the ground a lot. There was blood on my face and I was in pain," the woman said.
The woman said she awoke the next day disorientated with cuts and grazes on her arms and legs and pain in her ribcage.
Both women said they had reported their experiences to police.
Police investigating multiple complaints
Wellington District crime services manager John van den Heuvel confirmed police were investigating "multiple complaints" about an individual late last week.
He urged anyone with information to come forward.
"The best way to help is to come tell police your story and we'll take things from there.
"An equal priority for us is to ensure people get the help and support they need," van den Heuvel said.
Where to get help:
- NZ Police.
- Victim Support 0800 842 846.
- Rape Crisis: 0800 88 33 00.
- Rape Prevention Education.
- Empowerment Trust.
- HELP (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655.
- Safe to talk: 0800 044 334.
- Tautoko Tāne Male Survivors Aotearoa.
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
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