The New Zealand QC representing nine women involved in the Pitcairn Island rape trials is fighting to get the women compensation under a British scheme.
At trials on the island in 2004 and in New Zealand in 2006, eight Pitcairn men were convicted of raping and sexually assaulting young girls, while a ninth man pleaded guilty.
Nick Butcher reports.
"Bruce Corkill, QC says he's been asking the British Governor of Pitcairn for a ruling on compensation for the past 6 months but hasn't had a satisfactory response yet. He's arguing the women should be compensated because they're British citizens. He describes the compensation they're eligible for-about 80 thousand dollars each under the British scheme, as peanuts. But he says it would recognise that the women have suffered criminal conduct and allow them to move on. The British High Commission says it expects to make a decision in the near future, adding the issues are complex."
