Coming In From The Cold
26 New Zealand male survivors share their personal stories of sexual abuse
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New Plymouth, Taranaki
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…
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…
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 John, the 52 year said he was sexually abused 40…
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…
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…
Abused as a boy, man calls for independent investigation
A man who suffered horrific sexual abuse at two Dunedin schools says an independent body should be established to investigate church abuse cases. The man, named only as Marc, presented his evidence to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse…
The impacts of child sexual abuse: A rapid evidence assessment
The research reviewed as part of this REA shows that being a victim and survivor of CSA is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes in all areas of victims and survivors’ lives. Additionally, long-term longitudinal research suggests that…
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 81-year old Mr F did not tell anyone of the…
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…
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…
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…
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 of Inquiry into Abuse in Care has heard. Tina Cleary’s…