If New Zealand can find its voice to debate a flag change, it should be able to do the same to end family and sexual violence.
That was the message from Louise Nicholas as she addressed a crowd of about 150 people at last night's fourth annual Dame Dorothy Fraser Lecture in South Dunedin.
Ms Nicholas, a rape survivor and sexual abuse campaigner, went public in 2004 with her claims against police officers Brad Shipton, Clint Rickards and Bob Schollum.
Her experiences led to Shipton and Schollum being convicted of another historic rape.
The head of Rotorua's CIB, John Dewar, was later convicted of attempting to obstruct or defeat the course of justice.
Last night, Ms Nicholas said her experiences had left her angry at a justice system that ''re-rapes'' victims, and determined to push for change.
The experience had prompted her to fight for victims' rights and for change, resulting in important victories.
That included greater use of evidential videos in court and helping educate constables graduating from the Royal New Zealand Police College.
But Ms Nicholas said she had also been forced to face difficult conversations with her children - three daughters, now aged in their 20s, and her 8-year-old son.
But that was essential for individuals, their families and the nation, if the cycle of violence was to be broken.
''Enough is enough - it has to stop,'' she said.
Last night's lecture marked the contribution of the late Dame Dorothy to South Dunedin, and was fronted by Labour deputy leader Annette King and Dunedin South MP Clare Curran.
