Prostitute rape victims urged to come forward

Auckland sex workers who have been victims of rape are being urged by police to come forward.

The appeal comes after the arrest yesterday of a man for the rape of a woman in suburban Grafton in February last year.

The 30-year-old digger driver, who also faced charges of possessing a knife and theft, appeared in Auckland District Court yesterday and was remanded in custody until today for a bail hearing.

Detective Sergeant Andy King, head of the Auckland police adult sexual assault team, said the man was already on bail on similar charges involving two prostitutes.

He said the attacks were "very, very serious indeed and of huge concern to us..."

He appealed to sex workers or any women living on the fringe of society to come forward if they had been attacked.

"Some ... are quite reluctant to come forward and make a formal complaint due to their circumstances."

He said no victims of the attacker need fear police.

"We are only interested in getting this guy off the street and keeping these people safe."

- NZPA