Tempers can fray at the end of the year, particularly in Parliament, where despite the reputation, many MPs work long, hard hours.

But that doesn't account for the extraordinary scenes that played out when the debate over New Zealanders being held on Christmas Island turned personal. The Prime Minister shouted across the chamber that opposition MPs were backing rapists.

With 121 Members of Parliament, it was inevitable some would have personal history that would see that comment sting more than the usual rough and tumble in democratic debate. One in four women are affected by sexual violence, and one in eight men.

Female opposition MPs laid their own history bare in protest, standing up one after the other to say they were offended by the accusation they'd back the type of people who'd once assaulted them. Some of them were speaking publicly about the assaults for the first time. When the Prime Minister didn't apologise, they walked out.

For some that will be the end of it, but the issue is continuing to simmer below the surface. Now a 13,000 signature petition has been delivered to Parliament, asking for an apology from John Key, and for him to put his money where his mouth is by signing off on better funding to help those assaulted to get the help they need.

There's a reason so many people signed. This isn't a distraction issue or an opportunity to score political points for many people. It's a serious, lived reality, and it's difficult to get support.

The petition is admirable, but unlikely to change anything at this stage. A request for comment from the Prime Minister has resulted in a one-line written answer, that he's advocating for all New Zealanders, while the opposition only care about those who've committed crimes. The most recent polls also show National's support numbers haven't been hurt, although Key's personal polling has dipped slightly.

That dip is a warning. With many women unhappy about the Prime Minister's repeated pulling of a waitress's ponytail earlier this year, and now this, John Key might want to ensure he doesn't build up a track record of mishandling women's issues.