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…
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…
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…
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…
Panui Newsletter – Dec 2018 from the Royal Commission of Inquiry
You can download the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s December 2018 newsletter below: Download PDF file (270Kb)
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Ribbons ‘a voice’ for sex abuse survivors
Survivors of sexual abuse tied ribbons of remembrance from around the world to the gates of St Joseph’s Cathedral in Dunedin during a gathering this morning. About 30 survivors, their…
NZ Catholic Church withholds findings on sex abuse claims
The Catholic Church has withheld its findings about a child sex abuse accusation for months from the man who laid the complaint. Published in Radio New Zealand
Canterbury Catholic diocese accused of enabling abusive priest
Two Canterbury men are accusing the Catholic church of enabling a priest to carry out a string of child sex attacks across the South Island. Documents show the church knew…
‘The Church should open up their books’ – abuse survivor
Documents show the Catholic church publicly thanked a priest for his service, despite knowing he was a serial predator of young boys. A church investigator’s report from 2017 says Father…
Priest carried out ‘litany of offending against young boys’ – report
Two Canterbury men are accusing the Catholic church of enabling a priest to carry out a string of child sex attacks in multiple South Island parishes. Documents show the church…
Cabinet yet to hear abuse inquiry proposal
Slow progress in establishing the ground rules for New Zealand’s biggest ever inquiry is causing further pain for state care abuse survivors. New information also shows a formal proposal on…
Scale of abuse, suffering revealed
The only staff member not to be named as a perpetrator in this school in Dunedin at this time is the head master and the brother currently under investigation by…
TOAH_NNEST supports call for inclusion of all survivors in public enquiry.
The National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAH-NNEST) has written to the minister of Justice urging him to “include all children and young people who have been harmed in care,…
Petition – Tell the government to include ALL survivors of institutional abuse in Royal Commission
Here’s an opportunity to show your support for justice for all survivors. Some like-minded folks are making this final call to ask the Minister to ensure cabinet include all survivors…
Catholic Church in NZ ‘failed in a very serious way’ over paedophile priest: call for royal commission
The Catholic Church’s handling of a paedophile priest from Dunedin amounts to “negligence”, and a royal commission could reveal a cover-up, the head of the University of Otago’s theology and…
Call to defrock accused priest
The Catholic priest now accused of leaving more victims in his wake should be defrocked, even now, a theological lecturer says. Dr Rocio Figueroa, from Good Shepherd Theological College, said…
Renewed calls for church to be part of Royal Commission
A paedophile priest who left a trail of victims in his wake was allowed to continue as a man of the cloth for nearly two decades after his offending was…
Social Development ministry gave historic abuse complaint statements to police
Deeply personal and traumatic accounts of historic abuse in state care were given to police without the knowledge of those concerned. A judge has said the abuse claimants were “some…
New Zealand tells country’s sex abuse commission to include Church institutions
Just months after the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse issued its final report, New Zealand is beginning its own royal commission – and the nation’s…