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
Latest News
Oranga Tamariki facility: Report detailed use of restraints at residence months before closure
Oranga Tamariki was warned about restraints at a Christchurch care and protection residence months before it was finally closed. The concerns are highlighted in a December 2020 report by the…
‘Failed by the system’: Indecent assault victim hits out after offenders avoid conviction
WARNING: This article references indecent assault and suicide. A Wellington man says his life has been destroyed by an indecent assault and what he sees as significant failings by the…
Survivors rejected: advocate
Southern survivors of sexual abuse are being turned away for important support at an alarming rate, leaving them devastated and re-traumatised, an advocate claims. The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has…
New shelter for men escaping DV opens in QLD
Sheltered By Grace is a non-government funded Charity which is an accredited, level 3 Support Accommodation service based in South East Queensland that houses Single Men over the age of…
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Lake Alice and the legacy of abuse in state care on Māori
Advocates now calling for the Crown to do more to redress this collective loss to hapū from our “stolen generation”. For the last two weeks the public has heard testimony from…
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NSW inquiry into coercive control in domestic relationships claims abusive heterosexual women don’t control their partners except in rare cases
The NSW inquiry into coercive control in domestic relationships published its report this week. The report contains the following sickeningly sexist (and factually incorrect) gendered analysis of coercive control. Apparently men and…
US Boy Scouts reach $1.2 billion deal over sexual abuse cases
The Boy Scouts of America have reached a US$850 million (NZ$1.2 billion) agreement with attorneys representing some 60,000 victims of child sex abuse in what could prove to be a…
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Oranga Tamariki to shut Te Oranga facility after leaked video of child assault
The Oranga Tamariki care and protection residence in Christchurch where a young person was reportedly tackled and held in a headlock will be temporarily closed. The video posted this week…
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Canada discovers 751 unmarked graves at residential school
A First Nation in Canada’s Saskatchewan province is treating a now-defunct residential school as a “crime scene” following the discovery of 751 unmarked graves just weeks after a similar discovery in…
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Abuse in Care inquiry: Children given electric shocks lasting four minutes
People who were given electric shock treatment as a punishment while in the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital in the 1970s have given first-hand accounts to the Abuse in Care inquiry.…
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Abuse, torture and a deep state campaign of denial
It is well established that children were physically and sexually abused in state care in New Zealand over many decades. But what has always been carefully hidden is the subsequent…
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Abuse In Childhood Raises Your Odds Of Facing Violence Later: University Of Auckland Study
Was your mother or stepmother ever slapped, hit, kicked, punched or beaten up? Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic? Did you live with anyone…
Engagement on National Strategy and Action Plans to eliminate family violence and sexual violence launched
The government is inviting feedback from tangata whenua, victim-survivors, communities throughout the country, service providers and individuals. The government has launched work to develop a National Strategy and Action plans…
Supporting young men who are affected by suicide
People cope with grief in different ways, and the same holds true following a suicide. Many people will experience a broad range of emotions including, anger, hurt and sadness. Although…
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Place for men to open up and talk about sexual trauma
A SPACE for male survivors of sexual violence has opened up in the heart of Tairawhiti. The official launch of Te Hokai Male Survivors Tairawhiti was held at 73 Peel…
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Royal Commission hears of murder after state care violence
The Royal Commission into abuse in state and faith-based care has today heard from a man so affected by abuse that he set fire to his sleeping father, and later…
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3 Things “Leaving Neverland” Reveals about Male Childhood Sexual Abuse
As a therapist who works primarily with male survivors of sexual abuse, I am grateful for the conversations that Leaving Neverland has sparked. As a society, we have still yet to fully understand or recognise how boys and men experience sexual assault and/or abuse.
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Saying sorry not enough
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…
‘It’s time’: Support group for male sex abuse survivors plans move into Blenheim
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…
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Apology by Catholic Church ‘shallow’
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…
Whare Haumanu homeless hub set to open by winter
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…
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Abuse in Care: Church’s dedicated phone line not connected
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…
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Salvation Army apologises for historic abuse and its ‘harsh’ response to victims
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…
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Child sexual abuse victims re-traumatised in their fight for justice
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…
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‘Like nothing else on earth’ – abused teen’s time at Rangipo
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…
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Paedophile who posed as girls online sentenced for 96 child sex abuse offences
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…
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Rosmini College abuse: Terminal man still waiting to find out if abuser will be extradited as the number of victims grows
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…
Sexual abuse survivor delivers powerful speech as she collects Australian of the Year award
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…
Survivors’ group plead for churches to ‘come out and join the call’
A group representing some survivors of abuse in faith-based care wants churches to come out and support the call for the setting up of an independent body to deal with…
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Support group for male sexual abuse survivors set up in Taranaki
Mike Subritzky is a team of one committed to helping heal the unknown number of male sexual assault survivors in Taranaki. Subritzky, a trained counsellor with a background in chaplaincy,…
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Police say they’ve identified over 80 new sexual assault victims at Dilworth School
Police investigating historical sexual offending allegations at Dilworth School in Auckland have identified over 80 additional accusers. An additional 33 charges have been laid against five men as part of…
Continue Reading Police say they’ve identified over 80 new sexual assault victims at Dilworth School
Scout leader facing multiple charges may have other victims
Police say a former Scout leader charged with historical sexual offences involving children over 40 years may have had other victims. The man was arrested in March and faces a…
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Former Dunedin teacher’s ‘enormous breach of trust’
A former school teacher has been sentenced over a historic indecent assault. Former Otago Boys’ High School maths teacher David Russell Bond, 69, appeared for sentencing before Judge Michael Turner…
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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…
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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…
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Abuse in Care Inquiry: ‘I was ashamed and felt totally trapped’
A man has presented a harrowing testimony of being terrified as a boy for every day of school through two years, at the Abuse in Care inquiry. Known only as…
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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,…
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…
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Abuse victim tells Royal Commission ‘boys at boarding schools are at risk’
A man abused while at a Catholic boarding school in the early 1950s says he is not convinced the church’s approach to dealing with abuse has changed at all. The…
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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…
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…
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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…
Royal Commission told Catholic Church needs to stop honouring paedophiles
A man who was sexually abused as a boy at St Patrick’s College, Silverstream only ever wanted the photographs of his abusers removed from the school’s hall, the Royal Commission…
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Abuse survivor pleads with public to wake up to child abuse
A man who was in both faith-based and state care wants the public to wake up to historical abuse and be concerned that it could still be happening. Darryl Smith,…
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Survivors group calls for independent authority to redress abuse claims
A group representing survivors of abuse while in faith-based care believes victims could die before there is any satisfactory resolution to their claims against churches. The Network of Survivors of…
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Abuse in Care: Catholic Church loses bid to keep names of abusers secret
The Catholic Church has lost its bid to keep the identities of perpetrators and those accused of covering up abuse secret at the upcoming Abuse in Care Royal Commission of…
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Survivors prepare for Abuse in Care redress hearings
The chair of the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care, Judge Coral Shaw, today declined all but one of the non-publication applications made by lawyers acting for the Catholic Church,…
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A 15-year-old boy says a man picked him up from school, drove him to “the middle of nowhere” and tried to have sex with him.
Teacher Edwin John Downing is on trial at the High Court in Auckland. He has denied 13 charges, including sexual violation, sexual conduct with a young person and sexually grooming…
The impacts of child sexual abuse: A rapid evidence assessment
Research reviewed as part of a rapid evidence assessment shows that being a victim and survivor of CSA is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes in all areas…
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Service centre for homeless to open next year after ‘whirlwind’ Rotary effort
A new hub for Nelson’s homeless is expected to be up and running in a few months. The Male Room director, Philip Chapman, said the daytime shelter, called Whare Haumanu,…
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My Journey to Loving Myself Following Sexual Abuse
Sam Thinks details their journey to self-love following sexual abuse during childhood. They share what they have learnt during the last ten years of therapy, which first involved dismantling their…
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Australian police dismantle paedophile ring as 40 charged and 16 children removed from harm
Australian Federal Police (AFP) have charged 44 men and removed 16 children from harm after investigators dismantled a national paedophile ring. Published on Stuff The alleged perpetrators – some of…
Defending state abuse: Follow the money
The cost to the Crown of fighting claims by victims of abuse in state care is finally revealed before a Royal Commission. Aaron Smale calculates where most of the money…
Abuse, torture and a deep state campaign of denial
It is well established that children were physically and sexually abused in state care in New Zealand over many decades. But what has always been carefully hidden is the subsequent…
Continue Reading Abuse, torture and a deep state campaign of denial
Uni promises ‘rigorous’ inquiries into abuse allegation levelled at famed composer
Allegations of sexual assault and grooming have been raised by former students against famed Kiwi composer, the late Jack Body. Published on Stuff Senior leaders at Victoria University of Wellington…
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Stunning claim – cardinal ‘paid’ witnesses to convict George Pell using Vatican funds
Senior Italian Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu is suspected of paying A$1.14 million from Vatican funds to witnesses, to ensure the takedown of his bitter rival, Cardinal George Pell. Published on…
Church’s legal defence ‘dismantled’ after sex abuse pay-off thrown out
Hundreds of sexual abuse victims who received meagre sums of money from the Catholic Church in exchange for their silence could now seek larger compensation payouts after a judge overturned…
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Stan Walker opens up about physical, sexual abuse growing up – ‘It stuffed me up for years’
In an exclusive interview for TVNZ’s Sunday, Stan Walker bravely reveals to us the horrifying physical and sexual abuse he endured in his childhood family home in Tauranga. Published on…
Dilworth case ‘unusual’ – Victims advocate
An advocate for victims of abuse in religious institutions says the Dilworth school case is unusual because the accused have ended up in court. Published in RNZ Six men in…
Dilworth headmaster speaks out after alleged sexual abuse of 17 boys casts ‘dark shadow’ over school
An Auckland boarding school has come forward to address historic allegations of sexual abuse against six of its former staff, saying it’s “cast a dark shadow” over the school. Published…
Study suggests peer support recovery framework may be relevant for people who are facing the uncertainties presented by Covid-19
The emergence of Covid-19 disrupted most aspects of life, creating a high degree of uncertainty and unpredictability about the future. Knowledge from a place of lived experience offers insights and…
Father Glen Walsh paid a heavy price
The revelations never end about priests and brothers, of monsignors and bishops with their secret sexual lives, masturbating, buggerizing, sodomizing and raping boys and girls – protected by an amoral…
Victorian government to review laws stopping sexual assault survivors sharing their story
The Victorian government has announced a review of laws preventing sexual assault survivors from speaking publicly about their experience, hours after a campaign to have them repealed was launched. Changes…
Gloriavale’s sexual assault policy asks victims to ‘forgive’ abusers, gives offenders three chances to stop
Sexual assault victims at the secretive religious Gloriavale sect are made to meet with their abuser and forgive them – without police being notified. Gloriavale leaders then give offenders “second…
‘Absolutely broken’: sexual violence advocate Louise Nicholas dumped by Government
Louise Nicholas taught Kiwis how to speak about sexual violence. Now, she believes the Government wants to silence her. Jehan Casinader reports. Published in Stuff It takes a lot to make…
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Royal Commission launches separate probe into Marylands abuse
Abuse of children at Marylands School in Christchurch from the 1950s to the 1980s will be the subject of a special Royal Commission investigation. The Royal Commission looking into the…
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Research article: The Polite Abuser: Using Politeness Theory To Examine Emotional Abuse
Over the last few decades more and more cultural attention has been paid to intimate partner violence, especially emotional abuse. Follingstad, Rutledge, Berg, Hause, and Polek (1990) established that emotional…
Social Sector Commissioning, Progress, Principles and Next Steps
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has recently released a document on Social Sector Commissioning – Progress, Principles and Next Steps. It does just that – covering commissioning in its…
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Mental Health Peer Specialists and Their Vision for a Civil Rights Movement
Many who have mental illness disabilities suffer from isolation and are disconnected from others. They can experience social anxiety, feel nervous, and be unable to connect or make friends. Some…
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Community Updates
From The Chairmans Desk – September 2021
We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked, and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our…
From the Chairman’s desk, December 2020
If you light a lamp for someone else it will also brightenyour own path.Buddha Kia ora koutou, As we approach the end of a challenging year it is encouraging to…