A New Zealand woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted
by four touring England rugby players in an Auckland hotel
will not make a formal complaint, her lawyers reportedly said Friday.
The England rugby team's tour was marred by allegations that four players
were involved in a sexual assault on a woman at the waterfront Hilton Hotel
in Auckland early on June 15, hours after England lost the first Test.
The 18-year-old alleged victim refused to make a formal complaint
while the team were in New Zealand and the players were advised by lawyers
not to agree to be interviewed by police in the absence of a complaint.
Lawyers acting for the alleged victim have written a letter
to England's Rugby Football Union (RFU),
which was released to New Zealand media Friday.
The woman said she was sexually violated by four members of the team
and then sought medical attention for the injuries she received.
She was referred to the police by medical professionals.
Glenda Hughes, a communications executive acting for the alleged victim,
said that the woman did not want to put herself in the media spotlight
by going through a rape trial.
"Her sense is that she's had a pretty awful experience and the quickest way
to move on is not to extend that awful experience."
Hughes said according to the information she had the injuries
the woman suffered were consistent with a sexual attack.
"They were definitely indicative of non-consensual sex."
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