The Green Party says the decision not to press charges in the Roast Busters case highlights systemic failures.
Despite a year-long investigation, police yesterday announced no charges would be laid in relation to a group of Auckland teenage boys who boasted online about getting girls drunk and having sex with them.
Police Minister Michael Woodhouse sought assurance from the Police Commissioner that the investigation was conducted well and was comprehensive.
“I have been in contact with him over the last month or so as the investigation has unfolded,” he said.
“I've asked for confidence that the welfare of the young women is being considered and also that all information that's necessary to make the decision is being gathered, and I certainly got that assurance.”
Woodhouse said he hoped that the outcome did not discourage other young victims of sexual violence from approaching police.
Police said there were a variety of reasons for not laying charges, which included not enough chance of a prosecution, wishes of victims, lack of admissible evidence and the nature of the offences and age of the victims.
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said the problem is the criteria for pressing charges is whether or not the case will succeed and this illustrates the need for a judicial overhaul of sexual violence cases.
“When only one per cent of sexual assault proceed then it is obvious that the criteria does not work,” she said.