Mama Hooch Appeal: Third Victim Alice Lichtnecker Drops Name Suppression to Help Other Survivors

For many survivors of sexual assault, the journey to justice is not only about confronting the perpetrator but also about reclaiming their voice and identity. Alice Lichtnecker, a third survivor of the infamous Mama Hooch case in Christchurch, has taken a significant step forward by lifting her automatic name suppression. Her decision comes as part of a growing movement among survivors to speak out and support one another in the face of trauma and injustice.

Lichtnecker, who was a “naive small town girl” when she first visited the bar with friends in 2016, described her initial experience at Mama Hooch as unsettling. Despite the unease she felt, she returned in 2017, where she was recognized by Danny Jaz, the bar’s manager, and treated with what she believed was friendliness and generosity. “I was just like any other poor student... I was just a normal girl in her early 20s,” she recalled.

However, the night of the assault remains a blur in her memory. “I remember feeling super heavy and tired,” she said. “I bee-lined to a booth, curled up in a ball, and recalled something warm like a blanket being draped over me. That was my last memory of the evening.”

After learning that she had been drugged and assaulted, Lichtnecker struggled with feelings of shame and blame. “Anytime I would talk about it with anyone else, there was a lot of blame put on me,” she said. It wasn’t until she saw a Facebook post from Canterbury police seeking to speak to women who had negative experiences at the bar that she found the courage to come forward.

Moving to Melbourne marked a turning point in Lichtnecker’s life. “The effects isolated me. I completely stopped drinking. I never ever went out. I hated talking to men or strangers or being approached in any way.” It took years of therapy to process the trauma and begin to rebuild her self-worth.

Despite the profound impact the assault had on her life, Lichtnecker now sees her experience as a catalyst for change. “It’s taken me a long time to use my voice,” she said. “In speaking up, I want others to know they are not alone and that their voice has more power than they can understand.”

Lichtnecker’s decision to go public is part of a broader effort by survivors of the Mama Hooch case to confront the legal system and ensure justice for all victims. Alongside Danielle Gare, who was the second survivor to lift her name suppression, Lichtnecker hopes her story will inspire others to speak out.

“I’m not here thinking, ‘I’m going to change the world,’” she said. “I’m not here thinking, ‘I’m going to have this huge impact on everyone’s life.’ But if I can help just one person, that will be more than enough.”

As the appeal for Danny and Roberto Jaz continues, the voices of survivors like Lichtnecker are becoming an essential part of the narrative. Their courage to speak out is not only a personal victory but also a powerful reminder that no one should have to suffer in silence.