The number of boys who say they were sexually abused by a former Rosmini College teacher has increased to at least 12 - but a decision on whether or not to extradite him is yet to be made. Brother William Jackson, who went on to become a priest, was a music teacher at the Auckland school during the late 1960s and early 1970s before being sent back to England following allegations he was sexually abusing boys during singing lessons. He is now living in a retirement village for Rosminian priests in Surrey. Numerous men have come forward saying they too were abused after Jackson's abuse was revealed by the Herald last year, one of whom has already reached out to police and a further two who are considering laying complaints. Two other men have contacted the Catholic Church's National Office for Professional Standards to begin a formal complaints process. Published in NZ Herald

Jackson, who had abused boys in Tanzania before being sent to New Zealand, has already apologised to some of his victims but police decided not to lay charges following an initial investigation involving four men.

Last month, police reopened their investigation after a fifth victim, terminal cancer patient Paul Conaghan, came forward saying he wanted Jackson held to account in New Zealand.

Conaghan spoke out following a Herald story in which another man, who only wanted to be known as Tim, revealed he had been paid $30,000 in compensation for the abuse he suffered at Jackson’s hands.

As a result of that story, the Herald is now aware of 12 former Rosmini students who say they were abused during private singing lessons.

His victims believe the real figure is far higher.

Current headmaster Nixon Cooper said the school was originally aware of four victims but an additional seven old boys contacted him with similar allegations after the story ran.

“I replied to all of them and offered support.”

“The support offered varied from victim to victim according to their needs and what they desired.”

He said neither of the two men who were considering contacting the police wanted to reach out to the Diocese about their allegations.

By Elizabeth Binning
Published in NZ Herald
4 Feb 2021