The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) has established a chapter in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Aotearoa New Zealand chapter, was founded by Dr Christopher Longhurst (pictured), a lecturer in theology at the Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand and survivor of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and brothers. The New Zealand chapter Read more
Abuse survivor advocates say they’re cautiously optimistic after hearing promises a new Royal Commission will shine a light on New Zealand’s “dark and uncomfortable shared history”. At its first public session in Auckland on Tuesday, members of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions Read more
If priests are forced to violate the confessional seal, no religion is safe a Dominican priest says. A proposed change in law in California would legally require priests to violate the sacramental seal of confession in suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. Fr Pius Pietrzyk OP, who is an assistant professor of canon law, Read more
More than 220 children who were removed from their families to keep them safe went on to be harmed in state care over a six-month period. As of June last year, there were 6350 children and young people in state care in New Zealand. Between July and September, 130 of them were found to have Read more
Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions has confirmed that its investigation will include those abused by any person in a pastoral role in a faith-based institution. The clarification came in a “plain English” version of the terms of reference for the royal commission posted Read more
A leading expert in cyberpsychology describes a digital culture today in which children and pre-teens have virtually unfiltered access to online pornography, and she predicts that one day parents who fail to monitor their children’s online activity may be found guilty of criminal child abuse. “I can see later down the line that parents or Read more
Catherine Fyfe will chair a group of people who will ensure that the Catholic Church provides a co-ordinated and co-operative response to the Historical Abuse in State Care Royal Commission. Fyfe is a layperson with extensive experience in human resource management and organisational development. The New Zealand Catholic bishops and the heads of all religious Read more
A lawyer working for New Zealand victims of abuse in state care says Australia’s apology to their victims of child sexual abuse should embarrass New Zealand into getting on with its own Royal Commision. Sonja Cooper, who represents some of those abused while in state care in New Zealand, said she’s disappointed about the slow Read more
Slow progress in establishing the ground rules for New Zealand’s biggest ever inquiry is causing further pain for state care abuse survivors. New information also shows a formal proposal on the inquiry is yet to reach Cabinet – which must approve the final inquiry scope before anyone can be heard. Continue reading
Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft has changed his mind about the mandatory reporting for all abuse. But he also thinks it is inconceivable that any New Zealand community group would have its own private investigation system. Writing for Spinoff, Becroft said that when he became children’s commissioner mandatory reporting seemed a “no-brainer.” But he says all the experts he Read more