News & Events

Community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from the spiritual knowledge that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another.
Henri Nouwen

Reliving abuse at Dilworth: ‘I was conditioned not to say anything’

Historical abuse suffered at the hands of some fellow students and staff at Dilworth School have been outlined to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. Neil Harding, who is 55, went to the Anglican boarding school in Auckland in 1977. A number of men are before the courts charged with indecent assault relating to historical abuse…

Read More...Reliving abuse at Dilworth: ‘I was conditioned not to say anything’

Former Christ’s College student recounts fearing for life during sexual assault

A former Christ’s College student sexually assaulted and abused by other students in the 1970s says it was “systematic deliberate abuse” designed to shame him. Jim Goodwin attended the Christchurch school as a boarder from 1970 to 1974 and told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care in Auckland on Monday about the assault by…

Read More...Former Christ’s College student recounts fearing for life during sexual assault

Marist Brother continued teaching despite known history of sexual abuse over decades

Evidence has revealed that the Marist Brothers knew one of their members was offending against children over decades, but didn’t prevent him from being around children. One of his victims, who asked to be referred to only as James, described his abuser, Brother Giles, as a “monster”. James says he was raped and abused by…

Read More...Marist Brother continued teaching despite known history of sexual abuse over decades

Catholic Church has ‘no understanding about trauma and sexual abuse’ – victim

Witnesses at the Abuse in Care Royal Commission have recounted gruelling memories of being abused while in the care of churches. During the week and next week, the Commission is hearing from 25 survivors. The witnesses have agreed to go public with their stories of abuse and how they sought redress from churches. The focus…

Read More...Catholic Church has ‘no understanding about trauma and sexual abuse’ – victim

Abuse hearing: Catholic Church told sexual abuse victim that abuse was not criminal, offered him $5000

A former Catholic boarding school student who was abused by a priest says the Catholic Church repeatedly tried to minimise his abuse and deny that it was criminal offending. The former student, now aged 81, was sexually abused by Father Fred Durning in 1953 when he was a 13-year-old student at St Patrick’s College in…

Read More...Abuse hearing: Catholic Church told sexual abuse victim that abuse was not criminal, offered him $5000

Upper Hutt sexual abuse victim says abuser was quietly moved to South Island school

A former Catholic boarding school student who was abused by senior staff says one of them was quietly moved to another school in the South Island without being punished. Patrick Cleary died in July, aged 82, before he could give his statement to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into State Abuse. His daughter Tina Cleary…

Read More...Upper Hutt sexual abuse victim says abuser was quietly moved to South Island school

Catholic Church abuse survivors describe ‘horrific’ experiences, trauma to Royal Commission

Survivors of abuse at the hands of Catholic clergymen have spoken of their shame, trauma and the struggle to get redress from New Zealand church leaders.  The first of 25 witnesses told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care that after making a complaint, she was offered money rather than a meaningful…

Read More...Catholic Church abuse survivors describe ‘horrific’ experiences, trauma to Royal Commission