Michael Jackson’s trick was to groom an entire culture
It was hard this week – watching R Kelly jump up and down on CBS while claiming his greatest problem was being “big-hearted”, and sitting through four hours of Michael Jackson revelations – to hang on to the idea that the truth has implacable meaning. In both cases, the sense of outrage from the accused parties (in Jackson’s case, his estate) was palpable and brought to mind another example of male-pattern entitlement: that of Brett Kavanaugh during his supreme court confirmation hearing.
Published in The Guardian
Landmark human rights case seeks to make Church responsible for abusive priests
The Anglican Church is facing a landmark case from a parishioner arguing it should be responsible for abusive priests – one of whom allegedly harassed her in counselling sessions after her baby’s death.
It will be the first time a New Zealand church has been tested as an employer under human rights law, and if successful could prompt wholesale changes in the hiring and training of ministers.
Published in NZ Herald
TVNZ urged to promote specialist helpline after Jackson film
An organisation for men who have suffered sexual abuse is urging TVNZ to air its helpline after it screens a new documentary on Michael Jackson.
Published in Radio New Zealand
10 Undeniable Facts About the Michael Jackson Sexual-Abuse Allegations
The author, who spent more than a decade covering the scandal for V.F., shares the key revelations and insights that viewers of the new HBO documentary Leaving Neverland need to know.
Published in Vanity fair
Family Violence and Sexual Violence Service Provider Update
Kia ora koutou,
Welcome to our newsletter which provides news about the Ministry of Social Development’s work programme to strengthen family violence and sexual violence services.
Published in Ministry of Social Development
Abuse inquiry’s scope wider
New Zealand’s pending royal commission into historical abuse will include the actions of predator priests who targeted children in family homes, on day trips and in other out-of-church settings, it has been confirmed.
The outcome, announced yesterday, has been praised by survivors advocate Liz Tonks and the Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, the Most Rev Michael Dooley.
Ms Tonks, a spokeswoman for the Network of Survivors of Abuse in Faith-based Institutions and their Supporters, told ODT Insight she was delighted by the news.
Published in Otago Daily Times
Child sexual abuse inquiry scope clarified
Priests who abused children in their own homes will be included in a Royal Commission into historical sexual abuse.
The move is being described as a change-in-scope by advocates but the Royal Commission says it is only a clarification of the exiting scope.
After the Government bowed to pressure and added abuse in faith-based institutions to the Royal Commission, victims and survivors were concerned the scope was too narrow, because it only looked at abuse in bricks-and-mortar institutions.
Published in Stuff
Cardinal Dew’s claim met with criticism from abuse victims
One of New Zealand’s most senior Catholic clergy has clashed with abuse victims over his claim bishops have no powers to remove predatory members of religious orders from their dioceses.
Wellington’s Cardinal John Dew is still in Rome after attending a critical four-day Vatican summit on clerical child sex abuse, which finished this morning.
The 22-25 February meeting was billed by the Vatican as the beginning of a worldwide series of reforms.
Published in Radio New Zealand
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.
A leading world expert on clerical child sex abuse told RNZ that if Te Rōpū Tautoko remained top-heavy with Church officials it would “only do the bidding of the bishops” and would have no credibility.
Published in Radio New Zealand
A Catholic University Is Hosting an Art Show That Confronts the Church’s Sex Abuse Scandal
Church was a refuge for Trina McKillen when she was young. Growing up in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during “the Troubles” of the 1960s and ’70s, her neighborhood was a hotspot for political violence. When bomb scares threatened her elementary school, McKillen and her classmates were led into a nearby church for safety.
Published in Los Angeles Magaazine
Kiwi man’s powerful haka at Vatican challenges Catholic Church’s child sex abuse
Warning: This article and accompanying video contain details about child abuse that may disturb some readers.
A heartfelt haka briefly took centre stage during protests on the final day of the Pope’s summit on child sex abuse.
Hundreds of Catholic Church leaders participated in the summit – but abuse survivors say they’ve been excluded and claim nothing’s changed.
Published in Newshub
Horrific story of male abuse ends with ill informed newspaper recommendation for men to seek help from inappropriate organisations
WARNING: Distrubing content:
A UK man who was violently assaulted, stabbed and burnt by his abusive girlfriend has revealed for the first time the extent of his horrific injuries in a documentary.
Alex Skeel, 22, was “days from death” when police arrived at his home in June 2017. This led to an investigation and the arrest of Jordan Worth, who was the mother of his two children.
Worth was the first female in the UK to be convicted of controlling or coercive behaviour and grievous bodily harm.
Published in NZ Herald
Data breach and delay: survivors lose faith in New Zealand’s landmark child abuse inquiry
A year after it was announced – and more than a month after it was scheduled to begin – there has been little action.
Abuse survivors are beginning to lose faith in New Zealand’s nascent royal commission after months of poor communication, delay, at least one privacy breach and one survivor’s details being lost twice.
In February 2018 the New Zealand government announced it would hold a royal commission or judicial inquiry into abuse in state care, which it said would begin in January 2019.
Published in The Guardian
Sex crimes against boys: Auckland rugby coach Alosio Taimo sentenced to 22 years in jail
An Auckland rugby coach found guilty of 95 charges of sexually abusing young boys has been sentenced to 22 years’ jail.
Alosio Taimo, 56, will serve a minimum imprisonment period of 10 years for crimes committed across three decades against boys aged between 9 and 16 at the time.
Today in the High Court at Auckland, Crown prosecutor Jasper Rhodes argued for Taimo to be sentenced to preventive detention due to the seriousness of and his denial of the offending.
“We cannot say that his risk will be reduced at any point in the future.”
Published in NZ Herald
Man falsely accused of rape backs call for Blenheim’s first men’s refuge
A man tied up in a false rape claim has backed a call for a men’s refuge after he was kicked out of his flat and left homeless for a week.
Brett, who has asked for his last name to be kept secret, says he had nowhere to go after his ex-girlfriend reported a rape that never happened, and rumours began to spread.
Since speaking about how the allegation “destroyed” his life, Brett has thrown his support behind a call for an agency to support men, similar to Women’s Refuge.
Published in Stuff
Sexual violence against males
The sexual abuse of male children is more common than many people think. One New Zealand study (1) found that one in five sexually abused children is male, and overseas research suggests that 16% of males will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18 (2). The majority of the sexual abuse that boys experience is perpetrated by family members (‘incest’).
Published in Rape Prevention Education
Cardinal who abused children banished from the Catholic Church
Former US cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been expelled from the Roman Catholic priesthood after he was found guilty of sexual crimes against minors and adults.
Pope Francis decided the ruling, which followed an appeal by the man who was a power-broker as Archbishop of Washington DC from 2001 to 2006, was now final.
A Vatican statement on Saturday said his crimes were made more serious by “the aggravating factor of the abuse of power”.
Published in Newshub
When Men Are Raped
A new study reveals that men are often the victims of sexual assault, and women are often the perpetrators.
Published in Stuff
Are ‘men’ the problem?
This is our belated contribution to the #MeToo discussion. When we make female perpetrators invisible, we make their mostly male victims invisible too. Blaming ‘men’ not only makes it harder for male victims to get help, it also puts them at risk of secondary victimisation when they present as a victim yet are treated like a perpetrator.
#MeToo #MenToo #Gillette #TheBestMenCanBe #APA #MenAreTheProblem
YouTube https://youtu.be/B40nmG5lYSw
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OneInThree/videos/401372107293944/&show_text=1
Published in One in Three Campaign
February 11, 2019
Former Child Youth and Family caregiver accused of abusing boys in his care
A former Child Youth and Family caregiver has been charged with historical sexual offending against 17 boys.
The man, aged in his 50s, worked for Oranga Tamariki’s predecessor in Auckland and faces 43 charges.
Stuff understands the offending happened inside the Child Youth and Family facility.
Sixteen of the boys were in the care of the man at the time of the offending and staying at the Child Youth and Family facility in the mid-2000s.
Published in Stuff
Peter Gogarty campaigned for a royal commission, now he wants to see the Catholic Church in court
THE international “court of last resort” is considering a Hunter submission to investigate the Catholic Church for crimes against humanity as the world’s most senior bishops prepare to meet at the Vatican in February to deal with a worsening global child sexual abuse crisis.
Hunter abuse survivor Peter Gogarty has asked International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to consider whether she can initiate a case against some of the church’s most powerful clerics for failing to respond to sexual crimes against children, under international law previously used in war crimes cases.
Published in The Herald
Violence against women: Men aren’t the problem or the solution
OPINION: Violence, in all its forms, is abhorrent, however, men alone cannot stop violence against women and men alone cannot stop what they cannot see. If it were that simple, we would not be in this position as a nation.
Published in Stuff
Rugby club removes ‘inappropriate’ award named after paedophile
An Auckland rugby club has apologised for awarding a cup named after a Catholic clergyman convicted of sexually abusing boys.
Published in Radio New Zealand
US Catholic leaders name nearly 300 priests accused of abuse
Roman Catholic leaders in Texas identified nearly 300 priests and others accused of sexually abusing children.
Published in Radio New Zealand
Child sex abuser memorialised in Marist rugby club’s trophy
A trophy handed out to an All Black-producing rugby club is named after a convicted sex offender.
A movement is now underway, led by a victim of Catholic child sex abuse, to rename the Brother Claudius Cup, named after Marist Brother Claudius Pettit who sexually abused a boy at a Wellington school.
Auckland Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby, which hands out a trophy for most tries scored, would not comment when contacted by Stuff on Tuesday.
Published in Stuff
Indepth video: Number of male survivors of sexual abuse will ‘shock’ NZ
WARNING: This story discusses sexual abuse and suicide which some readers/viewers may find distressing
Published in Star Kiwi
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
Apology needed for people abused in state and church care: sex abuse survivors support group
An apology is needed for people who have been abused in state and church care, according to a group that supports survivors of sexual abuse.
Leo McIntyre, spokesman for The Road Forward Trust, which offers peer support to male survivors of sexual abuse, welcomed the Government’s decision to expand the terms of reference of an inquiry into the abuse of children in state care to include faith-based organisations.
That includes religious schools such as Catholic schools and communities such as the Gloriavale Christian community on the West Coast. Under the Inquiries Act they could be compelled to appear at hearings.
“I think this will be of benefit to people who thought they were going to be excluded previously,” McIntyre told the Herald.
Published in New Zealand Herald
Wellington Catholic school has no records of sex abuse
A Wellington Catholic college says it has no records of sex abuse committed by a priest against boys.
Published in Radio New Zealand
Ribbons tied to Wellington church by child sexual abuse survivors removed
Ribbons put on a Wellington church by child sexual abuse survivors and their supporters have been promptly taken down by the parish priest.
The ribbons were tied to the fence of the St Mary of the Angels Catholic church in Boulcott St on Thursday, but by Friday morning, they had been removed.
They were put up to acknowledge historic sexual abuse of children in the Wellington Diocese, particularly at St Patrick’s College in Silverstream and Wellington City, and St Bernard’s College in Lower Hutt.
Published in Stuff
Removed ribbons to be reinstated after outcry
A Wellington priest has backed down and agreed to allow ribbons from the survivors of sexual abuse to adorn a church in the capital.
Fr Kevin Conroy, the Marist Fathers parish priest at St Mary of the Angels in Wellington, caused outrage this morning when he cut off ribbons left on the church gates by survivors of clerical sexual abuse.
About 50 ribbons, signed by victims and their supporters, had been tied to church gates on Thursday, but cut down early this morning by Fr Conroy.
Published in Otago Daily Times
Priests gather for training seminar
Priests from across Otago and Southland gathered in Dunedin yesterday as part of a push to upskill clergy in response to a sexual abuse crisis engulfing the Catholic Church.
About 30 priests from across the Dunedin Diocese – which spans the lower third of the South Island – attended an all-day seminar at the Holy Cross Centre in Mosgiel.
Speakers included Virginia Noonan, director of the Catholic Church in New Zealand’s National Office of Professional Standards, which handles sexual abuse complaints involving clergy.
Published in Otago Daily Times
Victims’ advocate loses faith in an ‘incapable’ Church body
A sexual abuse survivors’ advocate says she can no longer refer people to the Catholic Church’s body for dealing with complaints, saying it is dangerously incapable of dealing with victims.
Published in Radio NZ
Over 30 years, young victims suffered the calculated sexual abuse of ‘Mister’ Alosio Taimo
Here sits a boy. He is slumped in a low, blue chair with his gangly limbs folded at an awkward angle.
He wears his school uniform, one of his socks slouched, and a permanent furrow in his brow.
Amid the sterile surrounds of the interview room at the Counties Manukau Police Station, he tells the specialist child interviewer questioning him he feels “weird and uncomfortable” talking about the things the man he refers to as “Mister” did to him.
Published in Stuff
Raped, beaten and drugged: Victims of state school abuse receive less than $11,000
Peter Whall still has nightmares about waking up at his Otago boarding school, a hand clamped over his mouth.
As a young teen, he explained to his housemaster how an older boy climbed into his bed every other night. He had seen the man’s two “beautiful” daughters at church and thought he might care.
But he was wrong. The abuse continued for six years.
Published in Stuff