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MARIYA'S FIGHT FOR JUSTICE FROM THE NZDF

  • New Hearing Update

      8 October 2023
    Posted by: Mariya Taylor

    So on it goes... the Supreme Court has given judgment and the case now goes back to the High Court for the hearing of Mariya's original claim for exemplary damages.

    This exemplary damages claim will focus on the conduct of the Air Force towards Mariya. As part of or preliminary to that case the withholding of evidence before the 2018 trial by the Air Force from Mariya's legal team and consequently the High Court judge will be examined. It is Mariya's position that this behaviour by the Air Force's lawyers, Crown Law, appears to have been intentional.

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    • 13/01/2024 by Teresa

      Mariya the problem with your case is that you would not be treated how you were treated in the past today by the NZDF. It was wrong then in the mid 1980s and it needs to be fully acknowledged today by the NZDF. You are not alone, I to have endured decades of police abuse and I have found that there are many gaps in the broken ACC system for historic schedule 3 claims and mental consequences of an injury. I hope it is over for you soon, stay strong.

  • Supreme Court Judgement

      22 May 2023

    Mariya is gutted and shocked that her nearly decade long battle for justice has left her with the Supreme Court deciding she cannot sue the Air Force for compensatory damages despite the High Court finding she was unlawfully falsely imprisoned and sexually assaulted by her superior officer in the late 1980s. The High Court also found the unlawful conduct caused her PTSD.

    Since first seeking legal advice she has always thought the law was clear and a person could sue for compensatory damages in Court for events that had taken place prior to 1992 causing her to subsequently develop mental injury.

    She remains undeterred and is exploring her options to take the matter to an international tribunal consistent with her human rights.

    She would like to thank everyone for there ongoing support and continued donations

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    • 22/05/2023 by Michael

      really puzzled that such a fundemental issue was not addressed before taking up this case or has the law now changed to prevent any lawsuits before 1992

  • Waiting Waiting Waiting

      26 March 2023

    We are still in limbo and waiting on the Supreme Court of New Zealand’s Judgement.

    Fingers crossed it will be soon.

    The waiting is the hardest for Mariya this has gone on far to long 8 years 😢

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  • Supreme Court Judgement

      4 January 2023

    This case has been heard now in Supreme Court in NZ on 4th August 2022. The panel has reserved Judgement.

    It’s been a emotionally draining journey for Mariya. Victims should not have to be put through this. We are all hoping for closure soon with a positive outcome of this approximately 8 year court case so it can be put behind her and she can rebuild her life.

    Thankyou for all your well wishes and continued support.

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    • 05/01/2023 by Tim

      Hang on in there. No matter the outcome we are all indebted to you for standing your ground and making sure wrong-doers know that they will be challenged and that their actions do not go unnoticed or forgotten.

  • Wellington Supreme Court

      13 October 2022

    We have finally had our case heard in the Supreme Court on the 5/10/22 after many months of waiting. The judges has reserved there decision and so the waiting begins again.The Defence Force and Robert Roper appealed the decision from The Appeal Court so it’s now in the hands of the judges at the Supreme Court.

    We are nearly the end of this everlasting case and Mariya will be glad to finally have a decision so she can heal and move forward from this traumatic case.

    Thank-you everyone for your continued support.

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  • Still Waiting

      27 July 2021

    We are still in limbo as we wait for the Supreme Court/Appeal Court final Judgment.

    All paperwork is submitted so it’s just a case now of waiting .

    How long will that take well how long is a piece of string …..6 years and still waiting for justice.

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  • Ruling Update

      6 May 2021

    We are still awaiting for the ruling of this case as per the directions of the Supreme Court.

    The Appeal Court are working through this

    Hopefully we will ge answers soon. The dragging out of this case is taking its toll on Mariya.

    Fingers crossed not much longer.

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  • Supreme Court Ruling

      21 February 2021

    The NZ Supreme Court have made a ruling that the Statue of Limitations was within time.

    The NZ Supreme Court have referred the ACC matter of the S21B back to the NZ Appeal Court to clarify.

    It feels like this is going on and on it’s been 6 long years of fighting for Justice.

    Finally feel the end is getting near

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    • 12/03/2021 by Valerie

      That's FANTASTIC news. Kia Kaha Mariya - one beautiful and strong woman who has been wronged and drained of strength at times. We're all behind You x Thanks Talia for the updates too x

  • Onwards and Upwards to The Supreme Court

      28 September 2020

    Since winning the case in The Court of Appeal The Attorney General and Robert Roper have applied to the Supreme Court for leave to appeal this decision. We are currently waiting for the Supreme Court panel to make a decision on whether to grant leave to appeal or not.

    I will not give up until justice is served.

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    • 29/09/2020 by Tim

      You keep going. It's people like your good self that keep the system on their toes. This is so important.

  • Appeal Judgement

      27 May 2020

    We are still waiting for a Judgement.

    Our appeal date was 1st and 2nd of October 2019.It’s been a long wait.

    Fingers crossed the Court of Appeal Judges are working diligently through the case and we will get a outcome soon so thatMariya and her family can move forward with some closure.

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  • Court of Appeal Decision

      8 March 2020

    We are still in limbo waiting for the Court of Appeal Decision.

    We trust that the appeal judges are working diligently on this very important case.

    It’s been a long 5 1/2 years for her since she broke her silence and her case began. We are waiting patiently for the outcome and then Mariya can move forward in her life and begin to put this all behind her.

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  • Court of Appeal Wellington 1st/2nd October 2019

      26 September 2019

    Just a update.

    The hearing at the Court of Appeal in Wellington is getting closer.

    1st and 2nd of October 2019 only a few days away.

    Mariya’s legal team have been working tirelessly to get all the submissions in and we are ready to do it.

    A massive thanks to everyone who has donated to date and for the ongoing support and kindness that has been received. The love and support from the NZ public has certainly helped during this re traumatising journey.

    Fees are mounting up so please can you dig deep to help ease the burden on Mariya and her family to help pay pending costs associated with the trial and appeal.

    The Defence Force needs to be held accountable and this must stop, Mariya’s chosen career was to serve her country and this is the atrocious behaviour our Defence Force have thrown at her when they owed her a duty of care.

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  • update on appeal hearing

      16 April 2019

    Mariya and her dedicated team have recently been given a date towards the end of this year when she will get the long awaited opportunity to present her case to the Court of Appeal judges.

    Mariya would like to thank you all for your generosity, caring messages and support over this difficult time. She will not have closure until her appeal is heard.

    Her expenses are mounting up so we have chosen to extend the timeframe on this page to help her financially as much as possible. Already funds donated have eased some of the financial stress by allowing Mariya to comply with court orders and meet her ever increasing legal costs which her team do everything they can to keep to a minimum.

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  • Thankyou Message

      26 January 2019

    Mariya would like to express a huge thankyou to each and everyone for their ongoing support, kind words and generous donations.

    “The kindness I have been shown this week has been very overwhelming. The special messages and gratitude I am feeling have kept me going through some of the hardest days.

    Thank you from the bottom of my heart”

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    • 27/01/2019 by Louise

      Dear Mariya

      It is wrong on so many levels that you are being forced to pay that scumbag rapist.

      We would like to make a donation - where do we do that?

      All the best

  • Use of Funds

      26 January 2019

    TRIAL

    Funds will be used to cover already accrued High Court Trial costs such as the court filing fees, court hearing fees for the eight day trial $24,000, witness expenses (some witnesses came to Auckland to testify for Mariya from United States and other parts of NZ) in March 2018.

    A total figure spent $56,000

    APPEAL

    Security court costs $13,200. Court of Appeal filing fee $980, hearing fees (over $2,600 a day) setting down fee ($2,600), plus additional fees (unsure of figures at this stage) which will fall due imminently. The preparation of a large number of appeal books for the appeal judges and the parties.

    JUDGEMENT

    As a result of a court judgment handed down on 21 January, 2018 Mariya must also pay $28,039.25 to Robert Roper, the perpetrator, who is currently imprisoned for multiple rapes and other offences. The judgment can be found here http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1901/2019NZHC16TaylorvRoper.pdf Surplus funds will be donated to charities which assist those who have been affected by sexual assault, violence or bullying and to support the pressing need for law reform in this highly sensitive area.

    The courts should be for everyone including the vulnerable and not just the wealthy.

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  • Update

      28 November 2018

    Just an update, Mariya has managed to open a bank account in NZ herself so funds will all go directly into her account.

    Thanks so much to everyone that has donated so far.

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  • Updated News Articles 27 Nov 18

      28 November 2018

    ***UPDATE***

    Great news! The NZDF has withdrawn their application for their portion of the costs however Roper and his legal team are still pursuing costs.

    Mariya has already accrued significant legal costs and expenses thus far and she has an appeal pending which has large costs associated with it.

    Please let’s help ease the financial burden.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/108768718/pm-says-air-force-sex-attack-victim-will-not-be-forced-to-pay-defence-legal-costs?fbclid=IwAR0r9pxBUQpdBbJ8gSXT5XPeywAa5FXkdVQ66cEGN3I4Q5blIjLbtWPwXBk

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  • Mariya's personal message

      24 November 2018

    A personal message from Mariya......

    This case has dominated the past four years of my life. I would like to sincerely thank each and everyone of you that has donated or supported me with your kind words.

    I would also like to thank my amazing and supportive legal team, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, RSL Officials, past and present Defence Personal and most of all my family and friends who have walked this journey right beside me.

    I have been overwhelmed with the support of the NZ public. Dropping my name suppression was a huge thing for me.

    In my head there was a little voice that was never heard, a voice that stayed suppressed for many years, a voice that was fearful of speaking out..... to a voice that is now been heard and so much stronger and touching the nation.

    I still have a way to go in my fight for justice but I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for now walking this journey with me.

    Mariya

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