Tika: A New Zealand Start up empowering Survivors to Seek Justice through collective action
Sexual harm remains one of the most under-reported crimes in New Zealand, with police and Ministry of Justice figures indicating that only 7% of sexual assaults are reported. Despite years of awareness-raising efforts and brave survivor stories, the barriers to reporting and seeking justice remain significant. Recognising this gap, former investigative journalist Alison Mau and barrister Zoe Lawton co-founded Tika—a groundbreaking platform designed to empower survivors and remove the barriers preventing them from seeking justice.
The Realisation Behind Tika
Tika was born from the shared experiences of its founders in the fields of law and investigative journalism. Alison had spent many years leading a major project for New Zealand’s largest news organisation, investigating sexual harassment and sharing survivor stories. Zoe, as a barrister, had worked extensively within the legal system, advocating for survivors of sexual harm.
“After five exhausting years of raising awareness, Zoe and I realised that despite all that work, the reporting rates for sexual harm remained at just 7%,” Alison explains. “We sat down over a coffee and asked ourselves—what’s stopping survivors from reporting? Why is justice still out of reach for so many?”
They identified three major barriers:
1. Lack of Information – Survivors often don’t know where their experience sits within the law. Many are unsure whether what happened to them is illegal under the Human Rights Act or the Crimes Act.
2. Shame and Self-Blame – Unwarranted feelings of guilt and self-blame prevent survivors from coming forward.
3. Isolation – Many survivors feel like they are the only one, which is often by design. Serial perpetrators deliberately create an environment where survivors feel alone and unsupported.
“We realised that survivors were stuck—not because they didn’t want accountability, but because the system wasn’t built to support them properly,” Alison says.
Building a Survivor-Led Platform
From the outset, Tika was designed to be survivor-led. Alison and Zoe understood that survivors needed a way to report sexual harm and seek support without navigating intimidating or unfamiliar processes.
“Currently, to report sexual harm, you have to walk into a police station or call a police number,” Alison says. “And quite often, you’re speaking to a uniformed officer who hasn’t been trained in trauma-informed care. That alone is enough to stop people from reporting.”
Tika solves this problem by offering an online reporting system—something that has never existed in New Zealand before. Survivors can log their experience through a secure platform, and the system will automatically check for other reports involving the same named perpetrator.
“For many survivors, having the option to report online rather than face-to-face is a game-changer,” Alison says. “Gen Z doesn’t want to pick up the phone—they want to do it on their phone.”
If a match is found, a group is formed (of three or more), and survivors are then given advice and can vote (independently of one another) on next steps. Importantly, Tika covers all legal representation from start to finish—free of charge.
Survivors who are identified as members of a group, do not meet one another to ensure evidence is preserved, unless they vote to do so.
“It’s crucial that survivors have access to legal support without the financial burden,” Alison says. “They shouldn’t have to choose between justice and their financial security.”
Pathways to Justice
Tika offers survivors a range of options once they have reported their experience and a group of three or more has been formed:
1. Criminal Prosecution
If survivors choose to pursue criminal charges, Tika connects them with Crown law solicitors who will handle the case.
“Many survivors don’t realise that when they give evidence in court, the Crown prosecutor isn’t their lawyer—they’re just a witness,” Alison says. “That’s incredibly traumatic for survivors. Tika will ensure they understand the process and have the right support from the start.”
2. Civil Prosecution
While civil action for sexual harm is still rare in New Zealand, Tika aims to build more case law in this area.
“Over time, we hope to establish more precedent through civil cases, which could open up new pathways for survivors seeking compensation or accountability,” Alison explains.
3. Restorative Justice
For some survivors, particularly within Māori and Pacifica communities, restorative justice is a preferred option. This allows for direct engagement with the perpetrator in a controlled and supportive environment.
4. Mediation
In cases of sexual harassment, survivors may choose to pursue mediation under the Human Rights Act. If mediation fails, the case can be escalated to the Office of Human Rights Procedures (OHRP).
5. No Further Action and meet one another
Tika also recognises that for some survivors, simply being part of a group and knowing they are not alone is enough.
“Sometimes, the most powerful outcome is connection,” Alison says. “For some survivors, meeting others who have experienced the same harm can be incredibly healing.”
Importantly, survivors are advised along the way as to their options and what each one entails. If a group elects to meet one another, they are advised that further criminal action (For example) at a later stage may be more difficult given allegations of interference with evidence that their meeting each other may bring about.
Providing a Second Chance
One of Tika’s most innovative features is its ability to give survivors a second chance at justice.
“I’ve spoken to hundreds of survivors who were brave enough to report to police, only to be told that their case didn’t meet the Solicitor-General’s threshold,” Alison explains. “That can be devastating after working up the courage to report.”
In these cases, police can now refer survivors to Tika. If a match is found with other cases involving the same perpetrator, the survivors have the option to pursue collective action.
“This gives survivors a second opportunity they wouldn’t otherwise have,” Alison says.
What If There’s No Match?
A common concern is what happens if a survivor registers with Tika but no match is found.
“We are structured for collective action,” Alison explains. “But if a survivor doesn’t find a match, they can choose to take their case to police or withdraw their details at any time.”
Tika will also refer survivors to specialist support services, including counselling and trauma support.
“We’re not a counselling service ourselves—but we’ve been welcomed by the sector because they know the legal piece is the missing link,” Alison explains. “We’ll make sure survivors are connected to the right support.”
Scaling and Future Plans
Tika is currently in the beta testing phase, with a full launch expected soon.
“We’re almost there,” Lison says. “The challenge now is spreading the word and making sure survivors know that Tika exists and that it’s free.”
The platform is already attracting attention. A similar initiative in Australia saw thousands of people sign up within weeks.
“We know there’s a demand,” Alison says. “We’re preparing for significant uptake once we go live.”
A Game-Changer for Survivors
Tika represents a major shift in how sexual harm cases are handled in New Zealand. By providing a safe, online reporting system, connecting survivors with others who have experienced harm from the same perpetrator, and offering free legal support, Tika removes many of the traditional barriers to justice.
“It’s about giving survivors back their power,” Alison says. “Justice shouldn’t depend on whether you have the money, the right connections, or the emotional strength to walk into a police station. Tika ensures survivors have the support they need to pursue accountability on their own terms.”
