Mrs Hercus hit in forum fracas

Press, 5 November 1984, Page 1

Mrs Hercus hit in forum fracas

The Minister of Women’s Affairs, Mrs Hercus, was struck and knocked to the ground when a group of men tried to get into the Christchurch . women’s, forum on Saturday. A man has been charged with assaulting Mrs Hercus, who is also Minister of Police. He will appear in. the District Court on Wednesday. The incident occurred during the opening of the women’s forum at Hagley High School on Saturday morning. Mrs Hercus was shaken, but not injured, and remained at the forum all day. A forum spokeswoman, Ms Ros Heinz, said that the scuffle broke out at the doorway of the forum venue after four men were mistakenly allowed in. • Ms Heinz said that she spoke to two of the men and explained that the forum was for women only. She asked them if they would leave.

The audience of 800 agreed to a request by Mrs

Hercus to allow the men to stay for the opening speeches, but after her address they refused to go. Mrs Hercus went to the rear of the hall to speak to the men, where a group of women were trying to evict them. In the fracas, another group of men who had been kept outside the hall tried to force their way in.

As Mrs Hercus tried to get through the crowd, she was struck and fell to the ground. Later, she was interviewed by the police for about 15 minutes and laid a complaint of assault.

Ms Heinz said that the organisers regarded the forum as a success in spite of the incident.

“We were really pleased that the forum attracted a diverse group of women. Nobody could say that it elicited a response from only one particular quarter, because a wide range of views was put,” she said. More women attended for the afternoon workshops,

bringing the number to almost 1000, said Ms Heinz. The aim of the forum was to discuss the Government’s policy on women and to set priorities for the new Ministry of Women’s Affairs. Workshops on health, education, and social and cul-. tural equality were the most popular. Some of the priorities decided on were: ® The need for funding and support for communitybased health programmes. © The need to include women at all levels of educational decision-making.

© The need for more Government support for low-income families, minority and ethnic groups, and disabled and rural women. Other workshop topics were training and employment, violence against women, childcare, economics, and politics and law. Ms Heinz said that women who attended the forum wanted to have effective communication with the new Ministry. They suggested that similar meetings be held again. They also asked for a women’s resource centre in Christchurch, a toll-free line to the Ministry, a regular newsletter, and regular use of radio and television.

Further reports Pages 2 and 5