11 percent of reported sexual violence cases end in conviction – report
Less than a third of sexual violence cases reported to the police make it court, according to a new report released by the Ministry of Justice. Out of the almost…
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What to expect from the long-awaited Abuse in Care Royal Commission
Analysis: A long time coming. Finally, after months of haggling over terms of reference, years of steadily growing political discussion and decades of pressure from those who experienced this vast…
Abuse Inquiry: Claims of historical child rape at state-owned care institutions heard
Survivors of historical cases of child rape, violence and neglect at state-owned care institutions are being officially heard for the first time. Witnesses on Tuesday began giving evidence at the…
Witnesses give evidence at Royal Commission inquiry into abuse in state care
Witnesses have this morning begun giving evidence at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care. One of the first to appear will be high-profile former prisoner Arthur…
Resignation ahead of Royal Commission public hearings
Warning: This story discusses issues related to rape and sexual violence. As the Royal Commission of Inquiry into State Abuse begins public hearings, its survivor advisory group is in disarray….
Royal Commission: Jehovah’s Witness elders told to destroy documents
Jehovah’s Witnesses church elders in New Zealand have been told to destroy documents, and child sex abuse survivors fear that will lead to the cover up of cases. Published in…
Joy Cowley blames victims of sex attacks by bishop
Peter Lineham talks about the issues arising from the unlikely defence by children’s author, Joy Cowley, of a disgraced bishop. Listen online at Radio New Zealand By the Panel Published…
Cardinal refers handling of sex abuse case to Vatican
The handling of historic sexual offending within the Catholic Diocese of Dunedin by then-Bishop John Kavanagh has been referred to the Vatican by New Zealand’s top Catholic. Published in Radio…
Greater transparency wanted over agreement
A support group for survivors of sexual abuse by priests wants more transparency over an agreement struck with the Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. But the call by Dr Christopher Longhurst,…
Survivors frustrated by commission’s ‘cone of silence’
Warning: This story discusses issues related to rape and sexual violence. Survivors have extended an olive branch to those running the Royal Commission of Inquiry into state abuse. Laura Walters…
Man continues fights against church
A Melbourne man is fighting to hold the Catholic church accountable for three clerics and a teacher who sexually violated him as a boy in Otago. Marc – RNZ won’t…
Convicted child sex offender Peter Ellis dies before making last bid to clear name
The man whose child sex abuse case gripped the city of Christchurch and the nation, has died. Peter Ellis’ death comes just five weeks before his last bid to clear…
Royal Commission: Pope accepts resignation of NZ bishop
A Catholic bishop who is part of the church’s response to the Royal Commission of inquiry into state abuse has offered his resignation to the Pope. Published in Radio New…
Catholic bishop of Palmerston North Charles Drennan expected to resign
The Catholic bishop of Palmerston North is expected to resign after less than eight years in the job. Stuff understands Pope Francis has been asked, or will be asked on…
Paper: Violent crime against children with disabilities: A nationwide prospective birth cohort-study
Abstract: The rate of violent victimization against children with disabilities is thought to be lower than the rate for children without disabilities but several studies shows otherwise. This paper is…
Confidentiality clauses: Bishops ‘lack moral leadership’
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops have been accused of lacking moral leadership as church groups decide whether to waive confidentiality clauses in compensation agreements reached with abuse survivors. Survivor advocates say…
Royal Commission: Minister’s confidence ‘has been shaken’
Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin has refused to express confidence in the leadership of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, after it was revealed a convicted child…
Royal Commission: Calls for commissioner Paul Gibson to step down
The commissioner embroiled in the latest scandal at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care says he won’t be stepping down. Paul Gibson is responsible for the group…
Sex offender in inquiry meetings: Minister says her hands are tied
Warning: This story discusses issues related to rape and sexual violence. Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin says she is “horrified” that a child sex offender attended meetings of the inquiry…
Child sex offender’s presence at abuse inquiry ‘sickens’ panel members
Warning: This story discusses issues related to rape and sexual violence. A member of a survivors’ group advising the Government’s abuse in care inquiry has skipped its latest meeting after…
Guide for reporting to the Royal Commission on Sexual Abuse
The Network for Survivors of Abuse in Faith-based Institutions has published a guide for survivors who want to report to the Royal Commission. Download a copy of the guide (DOC…
Sexual Violence Court pilot shows trial time reduction
A report evaluating the pilot of New Zealand’s first Sexual Violence Court says pilot cases are proceeding to jury trial about a third faster on average than previously. The evaluation…
Family of George Pell victim ‘beyond disappointed’ at High Court appeal
Pedophile cardinal George Pell has lodged a special leave application with the High Court to try to challenge his convictions for sexually abusing choirboys. The 78-year-old pedophile remained behind bars…
Childhood horrors laid bare as survivors talk of sexual abuse
Tears have taken up residence behind Grant West’s bright blue eyes. He is 57 years old, a burly Kiwi living in Australia with bleach-tipped hair and a crumpled leather jacket….