Brad Shipton, Convicted Rapist and Former Police Officer, Dies at 65

Brad Shipton, a former police detective convicted of rape, has died at the age of 65 while suffering from early-onset dementia in a rest home. Shipton was convicted of rape in 2005 and sentenced to 8.5 years in prison.

Why this matters: The case of Brad Shipton highlights the need for accountability and reform within law enforcement agencies, ensuring that those responsible for protecting the public are not above the law. It also underscores the importance of supporting survivors of sexual assault and encouraging them to come forward to seek justice and healing.

In 2009, Shipton confessed to therape of a womanin Mt Maunganui in 1989 before a parole board, stating that his whole life had been"full of disgraceful, disgusting behaviour"and apologizing for ruining his victim's life. Shipton was accused of raping Louise Nicholas, a renowned activist for victims of rape and sexual violence, but was never found guilty of that crime.

Nicholas first made her claims against Shipton in 2004, leading to an investigation that revealed a senior officer, John Dewar, had perverted the course of justice to secure mistrials or acquittals for other policemen, including Shipton. The investigation led to a Commission of Inquiry into police culture, which found major shortcomings in the way police handled sexual assault cases and made wide-ranging recommendations for change.

The police fully accepted the Commission's findings, apologized unreservedly to the victims, and embarked on a program of change. Shipton's case had far-reaching consequences for New Zealand law and policing.

Responding to news of Shipton's death, Louise Nicholas told Stuff, "He's been dead to me for a long time." Nicholas was 13 years old at the time of her first alleged sexual assault by Shipton and other officers, including Clint Rickards and Bob Schollum, who allegedly had a list of young women they could use for sex.

Kathryn McPhillips, chief executive of Help, an organization supporting survivors of sexual abuse, believes there may be more unknown victims of Shipton. McPhillips urged anyone who may be a victim of sexual assault to contact their local support services to help them through the process of making a complaint.

Brad Shipton's death marks the end of a dark chapter in New Zealand's history, but the impact of his crimes and the systemic failures they exposed continue to reverberate. The case sparked significant reforms in how police handle sexual assault complaints and support victims. As advocates like Kathryn McPhillips emphasize, the focus must remain on supporting survivors and encouraging them to come forward to seek justice and healing.

Key Takeaways

• Brad Shipton, a former police detective, died at 65 while suffering from early-onset dementia.
• Shipton was convicted of rape in 2005 and sentenced to 8.5 years in prison.
• His case led to a Commission of Inquiry into police culture, revealing major shortcomings in handling sexual assault cases.
• The inquiry's findings sparked significant reforms in how police handle sexual assault complaints and support victims.
• Advocates urge unknown victims to come forward, emphasizing the importance of supporting survivors and seeking justice.