Vatican considering defrocking
A former Dunedin priest convicted of abusing four boys – and alleged to have targeted many more – finally faces the possibility of being defrocked by the Vatican.
Published in Otago Daily Times
Survivors’ lawyer says abuse inquiry moving too slow
A lawyer who represents state abuse survivors fears the Royal Commission of Inquiry might not start hearing evidence for months, leaving her clients feeling anxious and frustrated.
Published in Radio NZ
Abuse expert: Catholic bishops risk losing all credibility
The Catholic Church has set up a new body to liaise with the Royal Commission’s abuse inquiry, but its make-up has raised questions over its capacity to deliver truth.
Published in Radio NZ
From the Chairman’s desk, December 2018
Kia ora koutou
As the end of the year approaches, it is timely to reflect on the achievements and
challenges of the national organisation over the last six months. Some of the highlights include:
‘He was a monster’: Survivor shines light on dark past
WARNING DISTRESSING CONTENT
Windows covered by a psychedelic paint job concealed a dark secret in Invercargill. Now one victim of a Marist Brother who raped children is letting the sunlight in. Chris Morris reports
Published in Otago Daily Times
Sisters of Mercy a dark misnomer
A Dunedin boy dumped at a Catholic orphanage by his father endured five days of violence at the hands of the Sisters of Mercy. Half a century later, he is still searching for answers. Chris Morris reports.
Published in Otago Daily Times
Ken Clearwater receives the Civic Award for services to Male survivors of sexual abuse
Breaking the Silence of Male Trauma Survivors | Debra Warner – TEDX talk
You have heard of the #MeToo movement. But have you heard of the #MenToo movement? Little is known about male trauma and Dr. Debra Warner explains that men are also suffering sexual assault. Dr. Debra Warner is a leading forensic psychologist, trauma expert, author, and speaker who specializes in male trauma. She is the spouse of a male survivor and authored “His History, Her Story, a Survival Guide for Spouses of Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Trauma.” She has devoted her professional efforts to helping men and their loved ones confront and conquer their long term effects of trauma on the male psyche. She frequently addresses issues related to the #MenToo movement, challenges masculinity stereotypes, and works to dismantle stigmas related to male trauma. She currently is a professor at the Los Angeles campus of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Psy.D. in Clinical Forensic Psychology, and a sought-out expert witness, psychological evaluator, and consultant. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Sharing a cell with a sex offender ‘absolutely inhuman’
Hundreds of sex offenders are being placed in shared prison cells despite warnings that it is dangerous and should be stopped.
Figures from Corrections show that in October this year there were 674 double bunked inmates who had a previous or current sex offence.
Published in Otago Daily Times
Former archbishop Philip Wilson’s lawyers say forcing a child into a sex act wasn’t indecent assault in the 1970s
Lawyers appealing former archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson’s conviction for covering up child abuse have argued that convincing a child to perform a sex act did not constitute indecent assault in the 1970s.
Published in ABC News
The Hidden Epidemic of Men Who Are Raped by Women
According to dominant stereotypes, men can’t be sexually assaulted by women. But according to a wide-ranging study, around two-thirds of men who report sexual victimization say their assailant was female.
Published in Broadley
Support group reveals more victims as Church stands silent
More survivors of clerical sex abuse are coming forward after Catholic school Old Boys formed an online support network as the Church continues stonewalling over the extent of sexual predation.
Published in Radio NZ
Royal Commission inquiry ‘a lost opportunity’ for some
Scouts New Zealand and other groups say they are disappointed that victims of abuse in their communities won’t be heard by the Royal Commission into Historical Abuse.
Published in Radio NZ
Move to expand Government abuse inquiry to include religious institutions welcomed
The inclusion of religious institutions into a state abuse inquiry has been welcomed by those who work with male survivors of sexual abuse.
A Royal Commission into the historical abuse of children in state care, from 1950-1999, has been in a preliminary process since February. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Children’s Minister Tracey Martin announced on Monday that Cabinet had agreed to expand the commission’s remit to investigate abuse in church institutions after months of resistance.
Male Survivors Aotearoa chairman Phillip Chapman was one of those who made an submission that the inquiry be widened to include other organisations like churches, schools and sports clubs. While it could have gone further, he said the inclusion of churches and faith-based organisations was “good news”.
But he did hold concerns about how the inquiry would be managed, as there were few support services for male survivors.
Published in Stuff
Abuse inquiry change will help Māori voices – Murray Heasley
A spokesperson for survivors of abuse in faith-based institutions says extending the inquiry scope will strengthen voices not diminish them. Some Māori abused in state care say they will be silenced in the government inquiry now it’s including abuse by the churches. Survivors say expanding the inquiry will water it down, and those abused by the state should be dealt with on their own. Doctor Murray Heasley of Ngāti Raukawa, is the spokesperson for a network of survivors of abuse in faith based institutions.
Published in Radio New Zealand
14 November 2018
Bishop considering public ‘full disclosure’
The Catholic bishop of Dunedin says he may not wait for a royal commission before lifting the lid on the sexual abuse of children by men of the cloth within the diocese.
Bishop Michael Dooley told ODT Insight he was considering a public “full disclosure” based on diocesan records of complaints alleging clergy abuse of children.
That would include naming alleged offenders and revealing the numbers of victims involved and payouts made within the Dunedin diocese, where complaints were deemed “credible” and church records existed.
Published in Otago Daily Times