Latest news with #JohnVanDenHeuvel
RNZ News
22-05-2025
- RNZ News
RNZ reporting leads to new information in Wellington sexual assault case
Another person has come forward to police after RNZ reported on an investigation into multiple complaints about a Wellington man. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King; Warning: This story contains content about sexual violence some may find disturbing. Another person has come forward to police after RNZ reported on an investigation into a Wellington man who is the subject of multiple complaints - which RNZ understands relate to sex crimes. RNZ has spoken with two woman who allege they were assaulted by the same man but years apart. The women - who did not want to be named - 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 including allegations of rape, violence and the use of alcohol or drugs to subdue victims . Do you know more? Email Earlier in the month police confirmed they were following up "multiple complaints" about the man. This week Wellington District crime services manager John van den Heuvel said a person had contacted police after seeing RNZ reports on the investigation. He was unable to confirm whether the person was making an additional complaint or "providing information relevant to the investigations currently underway". Van den Heuvel also said the Adult Sexual Assault Team had been assigned to handle the case. He continued to encourage anyone with information to contact police and pointed out that people could still report sexual assaults that may have happened years ago. Van den Heuvel said police would work to ensure people received support to assist them through the complaints process. One of the women - who spoke with RNZ - described how the man may have used her social media account to strike up conversations 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 she alleged he assaulted and raped her. "He hit me over the head and - when I was on the floor - he strangled me," she said. Another woman said she recalled slipping in and out of consciousness before she was allegedly assaulted. "It was violent. I was on the ground a lot. There was blood on my face and I was in pain," the woman said. Both women said they had reported their experiences to police. If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
12-05-2025
- RNZ News
Wellington man accused of 'multiple complaints' of assault after social media post
Wellington police are urging people not to engage in discussion or speculation of the man's identity on social media. File photo. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER 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 been assaulted by the same man in incidents which occurred years apart. Both said they had reported their experiences to police. The women connected after a social media post about the man - which had 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. Wellington District crime services manager John van den Heuvel confirmed detectives were working on "multiple complaints about an individual". He urged people not to engage in discussion or speculation of the man's identity on social media or other public forums. "We are aware there is concern and disquiet in the community about this, but we can't resolve this over social media. In fact, rumour and speculation can potentially be harmful to our investigation. "We don't want people to take matters into their own hands. Leave it to the police to deal with," he said. Van den Heuvel said police had "dedicated detectives" following up the complaints and urged others to come forward. "We need to hear people's stories and analyse the evidence, but we can't do anything if people don't come to us," he said. He assured potential complainants that their experiences would be treated with respect. "We take these allegations seriously and we will work to ensure you have the appropriate support," van den Heuvel said. HELP executive director Kathryn McPhillips said the agency was ready to provide support to victims of sexual abuse, assault, or harassment. "People can contact HELP services across the country - If they're thinking about reporting to police or if they don't know if they want to - please get in touch and we can help you figure out what it is that you want to do. "There's no statute of limitations on sexual violation complaints. The same with seeking help. It doesn't matter how long ago this happened to you. We are there to support you. "If you decide to report to police then we can support you every step of the way," McPhillips said. If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
