Peer support reduces carer burden
In a world first, La Trobe University research has shown how peer-led support programs for family and friends who provide regular support to an adult diagnosed with a mental health…
Articles
Disparities in police proceedings and court sentencing for females versus males who commit sexual offences in New Zealand
This study investigated whether there are disparities in the way in which police proceed against females and males who commit sexual offences. We explored whether there are discrepancies in the…
State abuse inquiry: Woman says experience of giving testimony a ‘farce’
An Auckland woman in her 70s says her experience of giving evidence to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into historical abuse in state care has been farcical. Published in Radio…
Gang member’s role in state abuse commission ‘untenable’ for survivors – campaigner
A high-profile gang member with a domestic violence conviction is playing a key role within the Royal Commission of Inquiry into state abuse, despite one woman going to police over…
Canterbury ‘under siege’ as police attend 11 attempted suicide events a day
Canterbury’s mental health is “under siege” following a series of traumatic events, with an average of 11 attempted suicides a day last year. Police statistics released on Wednesday show 4369…
Convicted child sex offender James Grainger continues his denials
A 68-year-old man convicted of repeated sexual abuse of a teenage boy has gone to prison still denying that anything happened. James Grainger, of Spreydon, was convicted of 16 charges…
Catholic Church sex abuse memorial reinstated as survivors call for meeting with Bishop
The head of the Catholic Church in Auckland has called on parishioners to respect child sex abuse memorial ribbons after abuse survivors raised concerns. The destruction of a “Loud Fence”…
Family 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. In this update you’ll…
Lawyer loses confidence in state care abuse inquiry
A lawyer who represents people who were abused while in state care says she has lost confidence in the Royal Commission. Sonja Cooper says the Commission has been holding ‘mock’…
Royal Commission’s ‘mock’ sessions with survivors
Survivors of abuse in state care have been blindsided by the Royal Commission investigating their treatment holding ‘mock’ interviews with them about their experiences as a practice run ahead of…
From the Chairman’s desk, June 2019
Kia ora koutou As we close out another successful financial year there is much to reflect on and much to celebrate. We have come a long way since we formed…
‘My art is my salvation’
A former Dunedin man abused by two different offenders within the Catholic Church says a love of art has helped him heal. Michael Haggie, who now lives in Whanganui, has…
Male sexual abuse advocate honoured for work with fellow survivors
Opening up about being raped as a 12-year-old saved Ken Clearwater from killing himself or somebody else. Since first publicly sharing his own story nearly 30 years ago, Clearwater has…
Abuse survivors outraged it took 15 years to defrock paedophile priest
Survivors of sexual abuse say they are outraged it took more than 15 years to defrock a paedophile priest after he was convicted. Former Dunedin priest Magnus (Max) Murray has…
Abusive priest is defrocked
Victims of a paedophile priest from Dunedin are breathing a sigh of relief as 50 years of torment finally comes to an end. Bishop of Hamilton Steve Lowe yesterday confirmed…
Otago men to assist commission
Four Otago men who survived sexual abuse or physical violence while in care have been included in a new Survivor Advisory Group to help guide a pending Royal Commission. The…
Hundreds of millions promised to ‘break the cycle of family and sexual violence’
The Government will spend $320 million on a package of initiatives aimed preventing family and sexual violence and breaking the cycle of violence. The pre-Budget announcement is, according to Prime…
Ministry of Social Development newsletter – Family Violence and Sexual Violence Service Provider Update
Family Violence and Sexual Violence Service Provider Update – Special Budget Edition Kia ora koutou, Welcome to this special Budget edition of our newsletter. In this update you’ll find information…
Brutal lesson: story of abuse by Dunedin nun
A dying Dunedin man tells Chris Morris his story of a savage beating he received as a 10-year-old ‘‘cheeky little Catholic boy’’ at the hands of a nun. Russell Butler…
Pope decrees bishops must be directly accountable for sex abuse or cover-ups
Pope Francis issued a landmark decree on Thursday making bishops directly accountable for sexual abuse or covering it up, requiring clerics to report any cases to Church superiors and allowing…
Government sets out how it will respond to historical state abuse inquiry
Minister for State Services Chris Hipkins said he would lead the Crown’s response to the inquiry. Setting out the principles was an important step in rebuilding trust between the government…
Three brave male survivors of childhood sexual abuse speak about what they endured, and how they are healing
The Harvey Weinstein saga exposed an ugly side of our culture. TVNZ’s Sunday hears from some male victims. Watch the video on the TVNZ website. By Sunday (1 News now)…
Report criticises Govt underfunding of sexual violence support and prevention
Government underfunding leaves organisations supporting victims of sexual violence to fundraise millions to stay afloat, a new report has found. On Tuesday, Action Station released its report, For the Wellbeing…
Japan Catholic Church to begin investigating sex abuse allegations
The Catholic Church in Japan is preparing to investigate allegations of sexual abuse against minors by its priests, including accusations from 20 years ago, officials said Thursday. The Catholic Bishops’…