Tania Billingsley’s statement

Written By: - Date published: 9:16 am, July 10th, 2014 - 97 comments
Categories: crime, culture - Tags: , , , ,

Tania Billingsley has waived her right to name suppression in the case against the Malaysian diplomat accused of attempted rape – and a Minister of Foreign Affairs who wants the finger pointed at anyone but him.

In an interview and statement (pdf) to 3rd Degree she’s laid out the issues with how her case has been dealt with, and how sexual violence in general is dismissed and downplayed in NZ.

I think her statement should be required reading – and Tania Billingsley is a big damn hero.

I don’t want anyone to have to go through what I have gone through. And if my idea of justice means ensuring the safety of women and others, then it cannot stop at the prosecution of this man. Violence does not occur in a vacuum. There are very real reasons why sexual assault is happening in our country every day. This is because our society normalises, trivialises and in both obvious and subtle ways condones rape. This is called rape culture.

We have seen this rape culture reflected in our own government’s response to my assault. It only became a matter of importance that was properly addressed when it started to inconvenience those in power.

Moderator note: any awful comments about Tania Billingsley are getting fired into the sun. This is a complex, painful topic for many. Be respectful.

97 comments on “Tania Billingsley’s statement ”

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  1. Ant 1
    10 July 2014 at 9:38 am

    What a brave person. I don’t think I would have had the stones and conviction to do that at 21.

  2. One Anonymous Bloke 2
    10 July 2014 at 9:44 am

    “Your discomfort at hearing the realities of rape culture is not more important than the struggle of people trying to survive and recover from the effects of rape culture.”

    Says it all.

  3. Paul 3
    10 July 2014 at 9:47 am

    The Herald complicit in promoting rape culture by its continued description of this matter as a sex case.

  4. Anne 4
    10 July 2014 at 9:47 am

    This young lady is strong, intelligent and special. I have the impression she is a Green supporter. That being the case, I hope the Greens nurture her and bring her into the fold. Parliament needs women like Tania Billingsly.

    • Saarbo 4.1
      10 July 2014 at 11:56 am

      +1

      Hopefully her brave move will shift attitudes.

      Also proud to be a Labour member knowing we have a leader who understands this issue as opposed to the way McCully and Key have handled this. Some media need to take note also, including Duncan Garner who showed incredibly poor form when reporting on DC’s speech to Womens Refuge last Friday (Radio Live, 1st and last time I listened to him), this is what it is about Duncan Garner!

  5. TheContrarian 5
    10 July 2014 at 9:55 am

    “Tania Billingsley has waived her right to name suppression…”

    That takes guts. Kudos.

    • Ennui 5.1
      10 July 2014 at 10:28 am
      • heaps. I really admire that she has held the politicians to account. What her allegiances are is unimportant, she speaks for all of us in demanding better from our elected representative.
      • Anne 5.1.1
        10 July 2014 at 11:01 am

        What her allegiances are is unimportant, she speaks for all of us in demanding better from our elected representative.

        Correct Ennui. My comment was said in the context that she is the sort of young woman we need in parliament, and since she approached a Green MP (Eugenie Sage?) for assistance then it seems possible they could be the vehicle to see her eventually get there.

        • Macro 5.1.1.1
          10 July 2014 at 11:12 am

          I agree with all you say Anne.
          As an aside, the work Jan Logie is doing in this regard is incredible, but of course our so called media seldom want to let others know.

  6. Eralc 6
    10 July 2014 at 10:09 am

    While I admire the courage of Tania in waiving her name suppression, I do not believe anyone has been done any favours by the airing of last night’s show. Any hope we have of justice being done is now diminishing. I think Tania was ill-advised in going ahead with last night’s show. The timing was not the best.

    [Stephanie: This comment is treading a very fine line. Given the circumstances of the case and the clear mishandling involved, Tania Billingsley has already seen her chances of real justice undermined – that’s why she’s come forward. And she has done all survivors and our society in general a massive favour by speaking out and illustrating the issue of rape culture and the struggle of survivors to get justice.]

    • Lanthanide 6.1
      10 July 2014 at 11:00 am

      I watched 3rd Degree, and they stated very clearly up front that they would not make any comment that would impair fairness or compromise any future court action.

      Therefore, her televised, and I presume written statement, has been cleared by TV3 journalists and lawyers, who we should be able to trust with this sort of thing.

      She also called herself the “alleged victim” in the interview, so clearly she has been advised on the boundary of what can and cannot be said.

      • grumpy 6.1.1
        10 July 2014 at 11:11 am

        All the same, it might have been a better idea to not give Malaysia an excuse to avoid sending the guy back. If he was already back here and facing trial, would this program have been aired? If the answer is “no”, that might show the program may have unintended consequences.

        • Stephanie Rodgers 6.1.1.1
          10 July 2014 at 11:19 am

          There has been no indication that Malaysia has a problem sending him back – by all accounts including McCully’s it was only our own diplomats’ “informal and ambiguous” conversations which caused them to cite diplomatic immunity and send him back to Malaysia.

          • grumpy 6.1.1.1.1
            10 July 2014 at 11:28 am

            I agree, Malaysia has been surprisingly accommodating about this but attitudes may change if the political focus detracts from the ability to provide a fair trial.

            • Te Reo Putake 6.1.1.1.1.1
              10 July 2014 at 11:32 am

              Rubbish. The Malaysian media were the first to break the news that it was on their people that was accused and they extensively covered the ‘confusion’ that allowed the diplomat to scarper. This was all before the Malaysian government decided to send him back here to face justice. Clearly, the Malaysian government have confidence in our judicial system. Whether they have the same level of confidence in MFaT is another matter.

              • grumpy …
                10 July 2014 at 11:38 am

                I hope you are right…..

              • Colonial Viper …
                10 July 2014 at 12:30 pm

                Interestingly, I think in their actions the Malaysian govt is interested in staying on good terms with the NZ people as much as anything else. I doubt that they care too much about McCully who by all analyses is on the way out.

            • Zorr 6.1.1.1.1.2
              10 July 2014 at 11:34 am

              How come in an alleged rape like this, the media attention would be considered detracting from the potential for a fair trial… but in the case of other violent crimes such as murders and the like, the media attention isn’t considered detrimental.

              Obvious concern-troll is obvious

              • grumpy …
                10 July 2014 at 12:13 pm

                In this case we are trying to get the alleged offender extradited. any perception that the trial will not be “fair” will be used to try and ensure that justice “isn’t” done.

                • Zorr …
                  10 July 2014 at 12:26 pm

                  How about… we shouldn’t have to be extraditing him because MFAT should have done their job? As far as I can tell, the only people worried about an “unfair trial” are the right wing concern trolls… not even Malaysia is on your side.

                  • Enough is Enough …
                    10 July 2014 at 12:56 pm

                    There was clear mishandling in this case and things should have been done better. However in remembering this alleged perpetrator had diplomatic immunity, and MFAT had no legal power to actually prevent him leaving the country, I would not go as far as to say that they “should have done their job”.

                  • grumpy …
                    10 July 2014 at 2:27 pm

                    Meanwhile…..back in the real world….

    • Eralc 6.2
      10 July 2014 at 11:48 am

      Stephanie, in reply to your comment –

      I’m firmly in Tania’s corner, as is everyone else I know (both female and male). As a woman, I admire her courage (and admit that given the same circumstances, I may not have found the same courage she has displayed to speak out).

      However, my comments are out of concern for her and that real justice is done. The handling of this case by all stakeholders has been appalling and right from the start I’ve said “what about the victim?”

      Yes, chances of real justice have already been undermined by events that went on before last night’s show, but my point is there’s a real risk that those chances have been further undermined (by last night’s show). I am concerned that Tania is vulnerable, no matter how confident she came across on 3rd Degree, and may have been ill-advised in terms of the timing of her speaking out. I’m definitely not against her speaking out, it’s the timing that I’m concerned about. It’s already a messy situation – what we don’t want is any more roadblocks on the way to ensuring justice is done.

      • Stephanie Rodgers 6.2.1
        10 July 2014 at 12:01 pm

        Tania Billingsley has been supported by Louise Nicholas, who is an experienced and smart victims’ advocate. And as Lanthanide said at 6.1, the interview will have been thoroughly cleared by TV3’s lawyers.

      • Sabine 6.2.2
        10 July 2014 at 1:06 pm

        ahh, now we need to protect the victim who is vulnerable from the victim who wants to fight back, cause justice would otherwise not be served.

        She does not fit the narrative of being responsible for her attack by being a. drunk, b. hung with the wrong crowd, c. asked for it – short skirt, low cleavage etc etc. She is well spoken, well educated and she is obviously not going to pretend all is well.

        So I can see why some would like her to not speak out, to be silent, to not inconvenience our Government and its ineptitude to handle the most basic things. I can understand that she would make those hat believe that rape culture does not exist and that victims of rape and assault have to have at least some responsibility (nudge nudge wink wink) uncomfortable.
        She proves them wrong on all accounts.

      • McFlock 6.2.3
        10 July 2014 at 1:14 pm

        Seems to me that Tania B is an intelligent person well able to make her own decisions, balancing her concern for what you call “real justice” (court procedure) and the wider issue whether the govt (from PM down to diplomat) gives a tinker’s damn about sexual assault.

        If you were “firmly in Tania’s corner” it seems to me that you’d respect and support her decisions, rather than expressing backhanded “concern”.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 6.2.4
        10 July 2014 at 5:36 pm

        Let’s all take a few seconds to respect Eralc’s concern. If nothing else it’s a teaching moment.

  7. Craig Glen Eden 7
    10 July 2014 at 10:13 am

    Very impressed by this young womans articulation of the real issues around a very sick behavior that woman are subjected to in NZ and indeed probably in many places around the world. Cunliffes apology I believe was heart felt but Tania Billingsly has really explained the issues for all to understand. I suspect many particularly men wont have the fortitude or the willingness to process the issues Tania has identified. Strangely family first have not said a word and neither have others who are usually only to willing to play the family values banjo. We should remember that this incident is on top of the roast busters Police bungle. I believe these two examples show a terrible indifference to sexual violence against woman. Its time for this culture to change and it will take men like David Cunliffe who are willing to throw off the blokey bloke culture to make it happen.

    • grumpy 7.1
      10 July 2014 at 10:20 am

      However, I am mindful that the accused in this case is not a New Zealander and comes from a culture not necessarily renowned for it’s positive attitude to women and that the Mfat employee widely touted with giving Malaysia “mixed messages”, is, in fact, a woman….
      We would all like to see this person extradited back here and face charges and punishment in our legal system but this media furore aimed mainly at the National Party give Malaysia an easy way out to claim that a fair trial is no longer possible.

      • Chooky 7.1.1
        10 July 2014 at 11:32 am

        ..interesting that the Head of Foreign Affairs John Allen knew nothing about it…maybe McCully thinks he can do the job of Foreign Affairs better and without the professionals?

        ….another reason for New Zealanders voting out John Key and McCully’s National Party …not only are they inept but they are sexist in the way this has been handled

        • grumpy 7.1.1.1
          10 July 2014 at 11:42 am

          Question……..was it up to McCully to advise Allen or should MFAT staff have done that? Seems to be very few “professionals” in MFAT. Seems that MFAT staff advised McCully but not their own boss.
          Anyway, this has bugger all to do with the attempted rape case or the TV3 interview.

          • Chooky 7.1.1.1.1
            10 July 2014 at 5:12 pm

            a lot to do with how it was handled…or the bungled handling…and a lot to do with how McCully has gutted MFAT and replaced allegiances to John Allen as Head of Foreign Affairs to himself..it is democratically dangerous when a government does this

            …McCully should resign or Labour and the other Parties should keep the heat on the ineptitude of this NACT Government and their injustices against women

  8. Gruntie 8
    10 July 2014 at 10:37 am

    It was reported somewhere that there have been around 10 cases in the last 5 years where diplomatic immunity has been invoked – I wonder how many itger cases if violence / sexual assault have been botched and swept under the carpet ?
    What a brave woman ! Standing up to Key and McCully – not even the Herald have the guts to do that!

    • grumpy 8.1
      10 July 2014 at 12:15 pm

      How is she “Standing up to Key and McCully”?

      • dv 8.1.1
        10 July 2014 at 12:16 pm

        Does that REALLY have to be explained to you!!!!

        • grumpy 8.1.1.1
          10 July 2014 at 12:27 pm

          feel free……

          • dv 8.1.1.1.1
            10 July 2014 at 12:36 pm

            Cant be bothered.
            Join your own dots!!!

          • One Anonymous Bloke 8.1.1.1.2
            10 July 2014 at 5:00 pm

            Grumpy, they’ve both wronged her – McCully with his abdication of personal responsibility, Quisling finger-pointing and apology to his cult leader. Key with his failure to hold McCully to account, and his utter sociopathic boredom and resemblance to Pontius Pilate.

            Instead of cowering, she’s called them out, and in doing so exposed the fact that they’re so out of line she still hasn’t heard from either of them, while they pay lip service for the cameras.

            Are either of them man enough to do the right thing? No, they aren’t: they’re National Party, and being National Party means it’s always someone else’s fault.

  9. outofbed 9
    10 July 2014 at 10:49 am

    If McCully was as brave, he would to the right thing and walk
    If Key was as brave he would do the right thing and sack McCully

    What a brave strong woman Tania Billingsly is

  10. freedom 10
    10 July 2014 at 10:54 am

    An incredibly brave decision from Tania Billingsley and full credit to the team who put the article together under such difficult legal restraints.

    In contrast to the sincerity of the message last night, it is hard not to notice the absent comment sections on the NZH and the Stuff articles today!

    • Stephanie Rodgers 10.1
      10 July 2014 at 11:21 am

      Sorry freedom, not sure why but the spam filter didn’t like your comment.

      • freedom 10.1.1
        10 July 2014 at 12:05 pm

        thanks Stephanie. I posted a few times so am guessing you dumped the duplicates. Posting this from a public terminal which seems fine, so will see what happens on returning home later.

        • freedom 10.1.1.1
          10 July 2014 at 1:59 pm

          test: on returning home I seem unable to post again, from either FF or chrome

          [Stephanie: Sorry about that, freedom! Hopefully lprent has some idea what’s happening.]

          • freedom 10.1.1.1.1
            10 July 2014 at 2:25 pm

            these things do happen Stephanie, I am kinda used to it tbh 🙂
            btw Lprent: TS won’t even load in FireFox now. Just keep getting a blank page.
            Chrome seems stable.

  11. Ad 11
    10 July 2014 at 11:08 am

    +1000 Steph

  12. Pete 12
    10 July 2014 at 11:08 am

    I admire her. That couldn’t have been easy.

  13. coolas 13
    10 July 2014 at 11:12 am

    One of my greatest fears as father of a teenage girl is that she might be subjected to sexual violence.

    I applaud Tania for speaking out about rape culture, and the more brave women who do so, the safer my daughter will be.

  14. Hami Shearlie 14
    10 July 2014 at 11:15 am

    A very brave young woman spoke out last night on 3rd Degree and said what many of us are thinking about Murray McCully – What a disgusting person he is, trying to offload blame on everyone but himself, he takes “the man in charge” salary but won’t take the responsibility!!! I thought her comments on John Key’s ” bored, can’t be bothered”attitude were very astute and hard hitting too – women of NZ take note of this, this is the way YOU could be treated by this Government if you were to fall victim to a similar crime!!

    • grumpy 14.1
      10 July 2014 at 11:31 am

      To be fair, Key’s interview was at 6am!

      It seems inexplicable that McCully did not keep on top of this one. He is reputed to be a micro manager but seems to have been more preoccupied with getting a seat on the UN Security Council.

  15. ianmac 15
    10 July 2014 at 11:32 am

    Impressive is Tania. Somehow I could see her in a serious big leadership role. Direct. Clearly spoken. Unequivocal. Certain of her philosophy. Compassionate. Open. Articulate.
    She might not be interested in politics but if she was, I could certainly welcome her as a Leader.

  16. Naki man 16
    10 July 2014 at 12:20 pm

    I wouldn’t be surprised if Tania is already part of a left leaning political party.

    [lprent: I wouldn’t be surprised if she is thinking about that now after having McCully crapping all over her from his lofty height.
    BTW: Could you try not change your handle. It means you get caught in the first time approval check and it does waste our time. ]

    [Stephanie: lprent has let this one through but this is a personal attack against Tania Billingsley and future comments of this kind aren’t welcome.]

    • bad12 16.1
      10 July 2014 at 12:38 pm

      Nakahi-man, what the fuck has Tania Billington’s politics got to do with any of the mistreatment She has suffered since the alleged home invasion and sexual assault took place,

      i wouldn’t be surprised if you lose significant amounts of DNA every time you attempt perambulation, but, that like your comment above has no place being aired here…

    • dv 16.2
      10 July 2014 at 12:40 pm

      How about Maggie Barry then Naki?

      • Tracey 16.2.1
        10 July 2014 at 4:11 pm

        of course no one has accused her of taking political gain from the rolf harris thing.

    • Ennui 16.3
      10 July 2014 at 2:30 pm

      Tania is also a citizen: when events happen to citizens of a functioning civil society the legal checks and balances of the state should mobilise to protect the rights of that citizen regardless of gender, voting preference etc etc etc. Quite obviously this young female citizen feels let down by the response (or lack thereof) of the elected part of that civil society, namely the politicians. Tanias party preference may be open to speculation: it is not relevant.

    • Naki man 16.4
      10 July 2014 at 3:19 pm

      It is not a personal attack at all. What do you think about Hone’s comment???
      The less said about this until after the trial the better.

      • Tracey 16.4.1
        10 July 2014 at 4:07 pm

        cos the pm never determines. what time he speaks to media if at all.

      • Tracey 16.4.2
        10 July 2014 at 4:15 pm

        she hasnt said anything about the incident, only about two prominent politicians handling of it. nothing she has said impacts the trial. it wont stop the two idiots cowering behind it as an excuse.

  17. Jrobin 17
    10 July 2014 at 12:28 pm

    Thanks Tania, good analysis of John Key’s role in supporting rape culture. Stay strong you have the support of many New Zealanders.

  18. Bearded Git 18
    10 July 2014 at 12:40 pm

    National Radio just reported that pressure is growing for McCully to resign.

    Can Key take two ministerial passengers (Collins, McCully) to the election?

    Decision time for Slippery.

  19. yeshe 19
    10 July 2014 at 1:10 pm

    Wow, such a brave and compassionate young woman .. risking herself and her privacy to draw this serious and articulate attention to what needs to be changed. Kia Kaha and thank you, Tania. May it bring the results Tania wishes for us all, reframing the dialogue around sexual violence and its causes.

    Key and McCully should be deeply ashamed simply as humans, but they won’t be. Time for them to go, please.

  20. xtasy 20
    10 July 2014 at 1:14 pm

    Tania Billingsley has displayed courage to come out and tell her story about her treatment by the authorities, in particular MFAT and the government!

    Fact is, this would not be in the media at all, had it not been for her determination to take action and have her name suppression removed, and had it not been for one person in the otherwise rather useless, even at times very biased mainstream media, to decide to dig into this, which though will have been done merely for pure “media opportunism”, exploiting the momentum of a scandal involving the highly sensitive area of diplomacy and foreign relations.

    Looking beyond of what Tania is talking about, and her personal feelings and views though, this is NOT something unusual at all, and it is not limited to incidents of attempted sexual abuse or even rape being questioned, marginalised or suppressed.

    In reality, these kinds of incidents are DAILY occurrences, and it is all about the arrogance of bureaucracy in New Zealand (like anywhere else)! Every day people get denied their rights and respect, and get fobbed off, are they treated with contempt and ridiculed. Bureaucrats, staff and management in many departments and agencies often make mistakes, it may be the police, the IRD, WINZ, ACC and also District Health Boards and elsewhere. When they make mistakes, they do all to cover up, and they tell people, that clearly wrong actions by staff have actually been “correct”, may be corrected (if found being wrong), or they even dare to claim they never happened.

    Try taking issues to the Independent Police Conduct Authority, the Health and Disability Commissioner, the Privacy Commissioner, even the Human Rights Commissioner, and you will find, all those Offices are mostly also full of “experts” in fobbing people off with weak excuses and explanations, using their “discretion”, and taking no action, as there is insufficient “evidence” of wrongdoings. If something is found wrong, at best it is a “slap on the writs” with a “wet bus ticket”.

    New Zealanders are in general far too long-suffering, forgiving and too easily resigned to being stuffed around. It is damned REFRESHING to see a young woman stand up against all this endless BULLSHIT that goes on every day!

    Murray “McCoward” should resign after all this, and John Key, today leaving for his “holidays”, should publicly apologise for the failings and wrong-doings of his “cover up” government!

  21. Philj 21
    10 July 2014 at 1:17 pm

    xox

    This issue raises serious questions about the quality of our leadership, government, justice, media and demockary.

  22. Hagar 22
    10 July 2014 at 1:27 pm

    Those calling for McCully to resign, be careful of what you wish for. Consider this… He resigns and doesnt stand in East Coast Bays electorate, but remains on the National list. Colin Craig gets in by default ( you asked for it! ) and the conservatives get 3 seats.

    • Anne 22.1
      10 July 2014 at 2:22 pm

      My concern too.

      However he can be forced to resign his Foreign Affairs portfolio but that doesn’t mean he has to resign from representing his electorate. That of course would be a better outcome.

    • bad12 22.2
      10 July 2014 at 2:29 pm

      Hagar, as if the National Party isn’t planning on having McCully step aside from the seat anyway, attempting to protect McCully on the basis of political expediency is probably deserving of the attachment to you of a number of epithets…

      • Populuxe1 22.2.1
        10 July 2014 at 3:18 pm

        Unless the whole event has proven a useful excuse for National to orchestrate a new coalition partner as ACT, the Maori Party and Peter Dunne go tits up

  23. Wht NEXT 23
    10 July 2014 at 1:52 pm

    This situation shows up how shallow Key and McCully are in understanding the reality of this crime that has been committed and their obvious sexist attitude to how to handle being in charge of the power to administer justice in this case
    With Key its to be expected because of the coincidence between how he is alleged to have manipulated the NZ currency back in 1987 and this situation with this arrogant bastard who thinks he can sexually assault a woman in this country and get away with it both manipulations of human rights
    Denial the tool of the privileged
    I wonder if Key can sleep some nights wondering when the currency will crash as it did being supposedly overvalued back in 1987 or whether he can can get away it this time a bit like how this alleged rape case is unfolding
    The parallel is all to obvious to me without stating it further
    As for McCully hes obviously out of his depth in understanding the seriousness of this internationally that it will require focus on the level of the recent proceedings in Britain in regards to phone hacking
    This diplomats action deserve the treatment his country dishes out on drug traffickers and that would really attack the credibility of the law and justice procedures in both NZ and Malaysia
    This will create a precidence that must be addressed in all levels of govt now and the fervour that the Nats showed to put so much legislation thru under urgency in the last 5yrs they should now do with this case before the election
    Gladly this will probably seal the fate of this national govt demise because it is showing up to be the issue that will show who is really capable of leading this country
    The misery that this ineptitude of these two parliamentarians have shown and their lack of any heart felt apology to this young lady is beyond decency
    and quite frankly Key should be denied a holiday untill he fixes this and if he gets done in by it all then may be he will know what that lady has to live with

  24. marty mars 24
    10 July 2014 at 3:11 pm

    It is good that Hone has made an apology over his backbenchers comments

    Asked on the show about the political storm around alleged attacker Muhammad Rizalman bin Ismail, Harawira said: “I think all of the media, their heads should roll for making a big fuss about bugger all.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10252967/Harawira-U-turn-in-diplomat-sex-case

    The apology

    “Sometimes I make little mistakes and sometimes I make big mistakes. The thing is, when you’re wrong, front up and deal with it. I made a BIG mistake last week, and here’s what I have to say about it …

    I want to sincerely apologise if my comments on Backbenches may seem to have minimised the gravity of the situation regarding the young woman who asked police to investigate the complaint of sexual assault against the Malaysian diplomat.

    I have reviewed the tape and I accept that my comments were not helpful at all. Sexual assault IS a big deal, and I applaud Tania Rose Billingsley for her brave and courageous appearance on television last night.

    I think it was a big mistake but at least he has recognised it.

    • Stephanie Rodgers 24.1
      10 July 2014 at 4:03 pm

      I have to disagree, marty. I don’t think much of apologies which feature the words “if”, “may” and “seem to have minimised”. Not to mention that the problem wasn’t whether his comments were “helpful”.

      If Hone really understands that he made a big mistake he’s done a very poor job of showing it.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 24.1.1
        10 July 2014 at 4:28 pm

        Yep, another Clayton’s apology. He’s apologising for other people’s perceptions, well newsflash, Hone, you aren’t responsible for other people’s feelings either: say sorry for yourself or not at all.

      • Eralc 24.1.2
        11 July 2014 at 2:25 pm

        You’ve nailed it, Stephanie!

        I see it as a shallow apology made under duress. If it hadn’t been for Laila, the apology may never have happened.

    • The Al1en 24.2
      10 July 2014 at 4:03 pm

      Little mistake or big mistake, it’s all insight in to the man behind the headlines.
      Good call DC.

  25. The Al1en 25
    10 July 2014 at 4:00 pm

    Little mistake or big mistake, it’s all insight in to the man behind the headlines.
    Good call DC.

  26. One Anonymous Bloke 26
    10 July 2014 at 5:18 pm

    If this is the Mainstream Media’s idea of “sex” their loved ones need our protection.

  27. blue leopard 27
    10 July 2014 at 9:20 pm

    Stunning actions by Tania Billingsley.

    I hope this issue doesn’t simply get framed into ‘to fire or not to fire’ [Mr McCully] or ‘right vs left’ or ‘war on men’ – or any other such narrowing of the very wide perspective that Tania offered us all.

    I believe that would be trivializing what Tania spoke about. She provided a very insightful message and an inspiring attitude.

    I wish Tania a speedy recovery and hope that she has got a very supportive network surrounding her because I have noticed National tend to get very dirty when the thin veneer of their fake displays of decency and competency gets scratched and what is underneath starts becoming apparent.

  28. Whatever next? 28
    10 July 2014 at 10:26 pm

    Remarkable young woman, Key’s daughter is a similar age, I wonder if has reflected on if he would look so bored if it were her who had been attacked?

  29. Murray Olsen 29
    11 July 2014 at 1:53 am

    Tania Billingsley seems like a highly admirable young woman. Total respect for her. Total contempt for NAct, the party of rape culture.

  30. Some person 30
    11 July 2014 at 11:10 am

    As a woman, feminist and mother, I am horrified that the accused is being judged by mob mentality. The case needs to go to trial and both alleged victim and perpetrator need to stand before a judge and jury – those trained to understand complexity. Getting media involved has never been a good idea and I don’t think it ever will be.

    • Eralc 30.1
      11 July 2014 at 2:28 pm

      Some person, I agree with you.

      There are too many chefs in this kitchen and someone’s going to get burnt.

    • McFlock 30.2
      11 July 2014 at 2:30 pm

      lol what training do juries get?

    • Murray Olsen 30.3
      11 July 2014 at 6:06 pm

      Tania spoke about how she felt let down by the government. She said virtually nothing about the alleged attack or the legal case. Your not wanting to involve the press means you do not think McCully and Key should be held to account for their filthy actions. Sorry, but I think you’re just a Nactoid, which is the scientific term for a Key loving haemorrhoid.

      • Some person 30.3.1
        11 July 2014 at 6:36 pm

        Wow Murray, that is mature. I have absolutely no interest in your political opinions, in fact I have find political arguments something of little value… there to keep commoners feeling important.

        • Murray Olsen 30.3.1.1
          11 July 2014 at 7:17 pm

          Commoners? Haha. Royalty are we?

        • Draco T Bastard 30.3.1.2
          11 July 2014 at 7:31 pm

          Politics is the most important thing that happens within society. It is how we define our society and it’s values.

          And then we have people like you debasing that importance to make you feel that you’re better than others. Of course, all your belittling does is prove how small and pathetic you are.

      • Pascal's bookie 30.3.2
        11 July 2014 at 6:37 pm

        Exactly Murray. Tania’s statement was talking about the things the announced ministerial inquiry will be hopefully looking at. the management of the diplomatic aspects, which are not criminal and will have no bearing on any court case.

        I’ve not seen any concern trolling about that inquiry being a ‘breach of natural justice’ or anything, which pretty much shows what the river of smarmy bile directed toward the complainant since she went public is really about, as far as I’m concerned.

  31. Grant Clark 31
    12 July 2014 at 10:33 pm

    I am sad for Tania, but am absolutely certain she has been played by the Greens to their advantage – the press coverage may be what she wanted – who knows.

    Why go public before a charge has been laid. Does one think our fair mined public fed by the media will ensure there is a fair trial? I have looked at the commentary on this sad event and it seems every man/women and their dog has an opinion.

    The opportunitity to push the rape culture argument and point the finger at the Prime Minister is not overly clever – the “alleged” offender was employed at the Malaysian Embassy and to somehow link him into this NZ rape culture is a bridge too far. As well, (by association) to find the Prime Minster a party to this tradgic event is pushing the boundaries too far. The Law Society spokesman on radio has also said as much.

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