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
A day late and a dollar short. That was the phrase used by Dr Tom Doyle, a non-practising Catholic priest to describe the church’s apology, at the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care last month, to those damaged by clergy sexual abuse. Dr Doyle has been researching this issue since the 1980s when, as a…
A support and advocacy group for men who have experienced sexual abuse is looking to open a space in Blenheim. The Male Room director Philip Chapman, based in Nelson, said he realised the need in Marlborough after getting calls from men asking for local support. It was time” Blenheim had its own Male Room. Chapman…
Cardinal John Dew described the abuse as unacceptable and indefensible, and said the church was deeply sorry. Photo: ODT files An apology from the Catholic Church to abuse survivors has been slammed as shallow and only intended to satisfy the general public. Cardinal John Dew made the apology, the first formal apology to victims, at…
Work on a day shelter for Nelson’s homeless, Whare Haumanu, is progressing with an anticipated opening in May ahead of the cold winter months. The project is a combined project from The Male Room, Nelson City Council, and Nelson city’s Rotary clubs spearheaded by Rotary Club of Nelson President Gaile Noonan. Noonan said building consent applications were…
The head of Auckland’s Anglican Church says he is “highly embarrassed” after it was pointed out to him their dedicated phone line for abuse survivors was disconnected. Faith-based institutions are giving evidence in Auckland this week at the second part of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry redress hearings. On Thursday, Bishop of…
The Salvation Army has apologised for the historical abuse of people in its care. The army gave evidence today at the Abuse in Care inquiry being held in Auckland. Over the next two weeks churches have the chance to speak about how they handled abuse cases and what support they gave survivors. Salvation Army chief…
Thousands of New Zealanders were sexually abused as children in state care and faith-based institutions, but will never get the justice they need to move forward. He was 12 years old when the abuse started. The principal at his elite Christchurch Catholic school would call the boys to his office to check their lunch boxes.…
A man who came through state care in foster homes, a boys’ home, corrective training and eventually prison, believes his life has been set back at least 30 years by the way he was treated and the physical and psychological abuse he received. Aaron, who is 50, came from a broken home and his interview…
A prolific paedophile who posed as girls online to get young boys to send him indecent images of themselves, leaving some of them suicidal, has been sentenced to 25 years in jail. David Wilson, 36, was prosecuted for 96 child sex abuse offences relating to 51 victims, but the National Crime Agency (NCA) said it…
The number of boys who say they were sexually abused by a former Rosmini College teacher has increased to at least 12 – but a decision on whether or not to extradite him is yet to be made. Brother William Jackson, who went on to become a priest, was a music teacher at the Auckland…
Empowering sexual assault survivors and highlighting the importance of education as prevention is set to be the focus for new Australian of the Year Grace Tame. The 26-year-old from Tasmania was awarded the honour last night, having already been named the Apple Isle’s Australian of the Year. Ms Tame was awarded for her tireless advocacy…