Victim advocates want a more supportive process for sexual abuse survivors who pursue prosecution.
It comes after two men were sentenced to home detention on Tuesday at the Auckland District Court, for what the Judge called "pack offending", granting the pair permanent name suppression because of undue hardship and risk.
Paulette Benton-Grieg, senior lecturer at AUT's Law School, told Newshub the case has sparked discussion about the handling of sexual assault cases.
"[I'm] thinking for the victims here - who have been through a long process [and] what it might feel like for them."
She says permanent name suppression for convicted offenders is relatively uncommon but it's disheartening for abuse victims.
"They endure the criminal justice process precisely because they want to make sure this can't happen to somebody else. So when that person comes out with name suppression then that feels like a cloak of secrecy."
Victims' advocate Ruth Money understands why abuse survivors often don't want to go through the legal process.
"It completely privileges the offender, we listen to what the offender says, and what is claimed on their behalf. The survivor only gets a small voice at time of sentencing."
Many of the victims Women's Refuge supports have concerns too.
"People think they won't be believed, and they don't hear good things about the reports from court around what actually happens once they enter the justice system," said Ang Jury from Women's Refuge.
Police say they have dedicated staff investigating sexual violence, who receive specific training, to help provide support for victims.
They also work with specialist crisis violence support agencies, to ensure follow up care is available for victims - throughout investigation and prosecution.
But those support agencies want to see change in court.
"Government have been talking for a very long time about reforming the system. We need to get on with it," Jury told Newshub.
To make a difficult process a better fit for victims.
