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…
Articles
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….
Underfunded mental health services to get funding boost
The government has announced it is boosting the funding of more than 20 existing underfunded mental health services. It is also allocating $30 million for the creation of new front-line…
Catholic Church admits liability for paedophile Gerald Ridsdale’s crimes
The Catholic Church has accepted legal responsibility for the sexual abuse of a nine-year-old boy by notorious paedophile Gerald Ridsdale in a significant case which could open the floodgates for…
The state of the science on trauma inquiry – Research article
Research funded jointly by social service providers and philanthropic organisations. Published from Women’s Health, Volume 15: 1–17, 2019. Download the article (PDF)
Report shows $630 million government funding shortfall for community social services – Press release
The government is underfunding social service providers delivering services that are essential to the wellbeing of New Zealand children, families, whānau and communities by an estimated $630 million a year,…
Sexual harm: Confronting the issue
Prestige lecture: Prof. Tess Patterson By Prof Ian Rothmann 26 August 2019
Health authorities urged to target growing male suicide
Warning: This story deals with the topic of suicide. Health authorities are being urged to target a growing number of young men dying by suicide. Figures released on Monday show…
Suicide rates rise to highest-ever level
Warning: This story deals with the topic of suicide. The number of suicides in New Zealand has reached its highest-ever level, with 685 people dying in the year to June…
Kristina Keneally blasts Melbourne archbishop for claiming George Pell is innocent
The Labor senator Kristina Keneally has blasted Melbourne’s Catholic archbishop for his response to Cardinal George Pell losing his appeal against child sexual abuse convictions. Keneally, herself a prominent Catholic,…
‘He was a witness of truth’: why the judges decided Cardinal George Pell was guilty
On Wednesday, Cardinal George Pell lost his appeal to overturn a conviction of child sexual assault. Chief Justice Anne Ferguson, Justice Chris Maxwell and Justice Mark Weinberg of the Victorian…
New paper – Circumcision: A controversial topic
In response to concerns expressed within our survivor community, and to foster a more informed understanding of male circumcision as it presents in our contemporary society, MSA commissioned the attached…