Ban rough sex defence; protect women from violence and abuse
This party wants to ban using 'rough sex' as a legal defence in murder or serious harm cases. They want women's prisons, refuges, and other facilities to be single-sex only. They also oppose pornography that shows violence against women, and support laws that protect women and girls from sexual abuse and violence.
What they say they'll do
Work with other groups to ban the use of 'rough sex' as a defence in murder or serious harm cases
Oppose the housing of biological males in women's prisons
Make protection orders more accessible, affordable, and properly enforced
Replace the Prostitution Reform Act 2003 with legislation based on the Equality Model, criminalising buyers and brothel owners rather than prostituted women
Fund refuges providing women-only services, exit services for women leaving gangs or religious cults, and support services for detransitioners
Oppose so-called 'hate crime' legislation
Who this affects
Women experiencing domestic violence
The party proposes increased resources and public funding for women-only refuges and easier access to protection orders.
Women in prostitution
The party proposes replacing current law so that prostituted women are fully decriminalised while buyers, pimps, and brothel owners face criminal liability, and exit services are funded.
Women in prison
The party opposes placing biological males in women's prisons, seeking to preserve single-sex spaces for women prisoners.
Families of victims of fatal violence
The party wants to ban the 'rough sex' defence in murder and serious harm cases, which it says has been used to reduce sentences for perpetrators.
In their own words
“The Women's Rights Party will work with other groups in calling for a ban on the use of "rough sex" as a defence in a murder case or a case involving serious harm.”
“The Women's Rights Party opposes the housing of biological males in women's prisons.”
“protection orders should be enforced and applications for protection orders should be accessible and affordable.”
Summarised neutrally from The New Zealand Women’s Rights Party’s own official policy (as at 2026-09-07) and checked by an editor. Nothing is paraphrased without the source linked. Read the original ↗ Arapono is non-partisan. Compare all parties on Crime & Justice →