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This page last updated April 6 2005
1992-1212 - The
Press - Police 'reluctance' seen
A witness in the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre hearing said she began
to collate incidents of alleged sexual abuse of children attending the crèche
after she perceived a reluctance by the police to investigate. The witness,
whose name was suppressed, said she had written a letter of complaint to the
Christchurch City Council about one of the crèche staff, Peter Hugh McGregor
Ellis, in November last year. Ellis was suspended from his job soon after.
Her letter of complaint followed a comment from her son, who had attended the
crèche, that he did not like Ellis's "black penis".
1992-1211 - The Press -
Concerns over worker 'raised with manager'
Concerns over the suitability of one of its male crèche workers were raised
with the manager of the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre in February or
March last year, the District Court was told yesterday. A witness said she
had been prompted to act by an incident at her home when her grandson, after
having a bath, had begun touching his penis and flicking his hand across it.
She said he told her that one of the childcare centre staff, Peter Hugh
McGregor Ellis, had done the same thing to him.
1992-1209 - The Press - 'Night
fears grew' in crèche child
An alleged child victim of sexual abuse became very afraid at night time from
the age of three onwards, his mother told a preliminary hearing in the
District Court. He expressed a fear of monsters and wolves and was afraid of
things coming in the window. He was especially afraid of burglars, asked if
they killed people, and inquired how they got into a house when the doors and
windows were locked…… She said she and her partner and their son now slept in
the same room, which they called the "safe sleep" room, to try to
ease their son's fears.
1992-1208 - The Press -
‘Children named’ after parents talk
A witness in the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre inquiry said her
daughter named other children as having been abused after contact between the
parents involved. The mother of one complainant said before she and her
partner spoke to other parents her daughter had made no mention of the
children…….The witness, whose name is suppressed, said she had ignored advice
from the police for parents not to talk among themselves about what their
children had disclosed. She said she had found contact with other parents
necessary for support and said the family had been top priority at the time
rather than the court process. On one occasion her daughter had talked of
being taken to a place by Ellis where there were clowns, tickets, lions and
tigers and being put in a cage.
1992-1205 - The Press - Crèche
child 'threw tantrums'
The behaviour of a child complainant In the Christchurch Civic Childcare
Centre inquiry changed dramatically during her attendance at the crèche, a
preliminary hearing in the District Court was told yesterday. The change
became apparent after she was moved to the "big end" of the crèche
set aside for older children, her mother told the court. She began throwing
tantrums for no apparent reason, would hit her parents, throw things, and
sometimes hurt herself. As her verbal skills developed she began to swear and
told her parents she was going to cut them up, burn them, and throw them in a
rubbish tin. Things reached a point where she would be put in her room
because it was impossible to reason with her, her mother said.
1992-1204 - The
Press - Mother wanted abuse expert's aid
The mother of an alleged child victim of sexual abuse wanted an overseas
expert in ritualistic abuse called in to help with the Christchurch Civic
Childcare Centre inquiry, the preliminary hearing in the District Court was
told yesterday. In a letter to the police sent in August, the woman said she
wanted an overseas author on ritualistic abuse, Ms Pamela Hudson, brought to New Zealand
to discuss the subject.
1992-1203 - The Press - Mother
defied police to ask about cre
The mother of a complainant in the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre
inquiry said she ignored police advice not to question her son directly about
alleged sexual abuse. She told a preliminary hearing in the District Court
yesterday that parents had been warned not to question their children
directly to avoid putting ideas into their heads……..Cross-examined by counsel
for the four women, Mr Gerald Nation, the mother said she had asked her son
about once or twice a week between May and July if he had anything to tell
her about Ellis. When she first asked if Ellis had touched his bottom or
penis her son became angry and refused to discuss the matter. He said Ellis
was his friend and would not do such a thing. His toileting deteriorated and
be began to suffer severe mood changes and was non-compliant
1992-1202 - The Press - Child
became 'withdrawn' after attendance at crèche
A child complainant in the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre inquiry became
withdrawn within two months of his attendance at the crèche, a preliminary
hearing in the District Court was told yesterday. From being an "open
and loving child" he withdrew and no longer responded when he was
hugged, his mother said. He went from being fully toilet-trained to leaving
it until the last minute before going to the toilet. He began masturbating
soon after he had started at the crèche………The witness said her son had become
volatile and aggressive if unable to wear particular clothing and had
headaches and sore stomachs every day. He began to want the light left in the
hall by his bedroom at night and the door left open. He was fearful of going
to sleep and said Ellis was outside the window and coming to get him.
1992-1201 - The Press - Mother
'worried' by crèche inquiry
A mother told the District Court yesterday that she had recently become
uneasy at her daughter's continued involvement in the inquiry into alleged
child sexual abuse at the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre. The parent,
whose name was suppressed, said she had tried to withdraw her child from the
police investigation in September. She said she had become "quite
worried" about the situation and felt it was not right for her child to
remain in the investigation. "She really was quite hyped up. We felt it
was hanging over her," she said.
1992-1118 - TVNZ - Network
News
The police inquiry into sex abuse at Civic Child Care Centre crèche,
Christchurch has extended to London, Christchurch Police have asked Interpol
to talk to a former crèche worker now living in London
1992-1112 - TVNZ - Network News
A psychologist agreed one of the key prosecution witnesses in the
Christchurch Civic Child Care case is a disturbed child. The child's evidence
is crucial to 12 of the 60 child sexual abuse charges laid against former
crèche workers
1992-1111 - TVNZ - Network News
Pre trial hearing for the five crèche workers from the Civic Child Care
Centre in Christchurch
continues today. A psychologist who interviewed many of the alleged victims
has spent days in the witness box, she has spelled out her procedures for
talking to the children
1992-1102 - TVNZ - Tonight
Depositions begin today over the charges of sexual abuse by five Christchurch
crèche workers, the next two weeks will be set aside for the hearing of
videotaped interviews of the children involved
1992-1102 - TVNZ - Network News
Reporter Jo Malcolm - Deposition hearings begin in Christchurch for five
crèche workers from the Civic Child Care Centre. Video evidence from the
children involved is being screened privately.
1992-1012 - TVNZ - Network News
Reporter Cliff Joiner - A death threat has been levelled at a second person
involved in the child sex abuse allegations at a Christchurch child care centre. A bullet
with her name on it has been mailed to the supervisor of the Civic Child Care
Centre crèche
1992-1010 - TVNZ - Network News
Reporter Allanah James - A bullet with his name scratched on has been sent to
Peter Ellis who faces charges of sexual violation against children at the
Civic Child Care Centre in Christchurch
where he worked.
1992-1009 - TVNZ - Tonight
Reporter Allanah James - Thirty four year old Peter Ellis is in court again
facing another nine charges on top of the 32 sexual violation offences
already alleged against him. Childcare centres in Christchurch flock to get the police's
"Feeling Safe" video
1992-1009 - TVNZ - Network News
In Christchurch parents and teachers alike have been queuing for child sex
abuse prevention programmes from the Police
1992-1008 - TVNZ - Network News
Wellington Hospital child care centre staff member has been charged with
indecently assaulting a child in his care
1992-1002 - Radio New
Zealand - Interview with Sonya Davies
Transcript of Radio "Nine to Noon" programme with guest Sonya
Davies - Presenter introduction says that police are hoping the publicity about
the discovery of a child porno ... pornography ring will bring forward any
victims of the men at the centre of the enquiry Labour MP Sonya Davies thinks it's only
the "tip of the iceberg".
She explains why -
"I have always suspected
this";
"Various people have talked to me about it"
"Once incest becomes public, people can discuss it"
"My initial reaction was horror"
1992-1002 - TVNZ - Network News
Reporter Cliff Joiner - Five former staff members of the Christchurch Civic
Child Care Centre face indecency charges on the children there. Today
colleagues and parents of children who used to attend the centre speak of the
strain of the inquiry
1992-1001 - TVNZ - Tonight
Four female childcare workers from the Civic Child Care Centre are arrested
and charged with indecent assault and the sexual violation of children at the
crèche
1992-1001 - TVNZ - Network News
Reporter Cliff Joiner - Four female childcare workers from the Civic Child
Care Centre (crèche) are arrested and charged with indecency offences
involving children at the centre
1992-0914 - The Press -
Schools denied detail on sex offender
NZPA - The Teacher Registration Board says it has been refused information on
a convicted sex offender who may be teaching. The board is appealing to the
High Court for details of the case so it can assess whether the teacher
should be deregistered. In the meantime, any school employing the teacher
could be unaware of his background
1992-0906 - The Press -
Prominent name confirmed on sex list
Prominent New Zealanders are included in a list held by police of people who
may have sought child pornography, the Minister of Police, Mr Banks, said
yesterday. I say to the members in this House that most of the information is
pieced together. "But there is a list - I do not have a copy of the list
- that does name prominent New Zealanders that have inquired after
pornographic literature either in this country or Overseas involving young
children," Mr Banks said. "It is only a list. I haven't seen it
1992-0905 - Christchurch
Star - Parents want child centre re-opened
Parents of children at the Civic Child Care Centre which was suddenly closed
on Thursday were seeking a legal course for its reopening yesterday. The
parents had signed a contract with the city council only this week, agreeing
to a two weeks notice provision regarding the withdrawal of children. There
was an obligation for the council to provide similar notice of closure,
parents spokesperson Penny Mahy said
1992-0905 - The Press -
Challenge possible – union
NZPA - The City Manager, Mr John Gray, may face a legal challenge to his
decision to accept the abrupt closing on Thursday of the Civic Child Care
Centre. Staff and parents opposed to the decision are angry that Mr Gray
declined to raise a formal objection to the Ministry of Education's decision
to revoke the centre's licence, as he was legally entitled to do.
1992-0904 - TVNZ - Network News
Reporter Allanah James - The Christchurch crèche at the centre of a major
sexual abuse investigation earlier this year has been unexpectedly shut down.
Parents whose children attend the Civic Child Care Centre in Christchurch
are trying to have the crèche reopened by court order
1992-0904 - TVNZ - Network News
The Civic Child Care Centre in Christchurch
was shut down today. Bewildered parents want to know why, angry that the
licence was cancelled without warning by the Ministry of Education, on the
advice of the police
1992-0904 - Southland
Times - Child care centre closed
NZPA - The Christchurch Civic Child Care Centre was abruptly closed yesterday
after the Ministry of Education withdrew its operating licence. The decision,
which follows a police briefing with ministry officials, has left 13 staff
redundant. Staff learned of the decision from the city manager, Mr John Gray,
who visited the centre at closing time. The decision to close the centre was
supported by Mr Gray, who was also briefed by the police
1992-0904 - Otago Daily Times -
Christchurch child care centre licence cancelled
NZPA - The Christchurch Civic Child Care Centre was abruptly closed yesterday
after the Ministry of Education withdrew its operating licence. The decision,
which follows a police briefing with ministry officials, has left 13 staff
redundant. Staff learned of the decision from the city manager, Mr John Gray,
who visited the centre at closing time yesterday. The decision to close the
centre was supported by Mr Gray, who was also briefed by the police
1992-0904 - Waikato
Times - Child care centre closes
NZPA - The Christchurch Civic Child Care Centre was abruptly closed yesterday
after the Education Ministry withdrew its operating licence. The decision,
which follows a police briefing with ministry officials, has left 13 staff
redundant. Staff learned of the decision from the city manager, John Gray,
who visited the centre at closing time. The decision was supported by Mr
Gray, who was also briefed by the police
1992-0904 - Evening
Standard - Child care centre loses licence
NZPA - The Christchurch Civic Child Care Centre was closed yesterday after
the Ministry of Education withdrew its operating licence. The decision, which
came after a police briefing with ministry officials, has left 13 staff
redundant. Staff learned of the decision from city manager John Gray, who
visited the centre at closing time yesterday.
1992-0904 - Evening Post
- Child care centre closed abruptly
NZPA - The
Christchurch Civic Child .Care Centre has been abruptly closed after the
Ministry of Education withdrew its operating licence. The decision yesterday,
which follows a police briefing with Ministry officials, has left 13 staff
redundant
1992-0904 - Dominion - Child care
centre closed abruptly
New
April 6 2005
The
Christchurch Civic Child Care Centre was abruptly closed yesterday after the
Education Ministry withdrew its operating licence. The decision, which follows
a police briefing with ministry officials, has left 13 staff out of work
1992-0904 - The Press - Anger over
creche closing
New
April 6 2005
by Michael
Rentoul - The Christchurch Civic Child Care Centre was abruptly closed yesterday,
angering staff and parents, after the Ministry of Education withdrew its
operating licence. The decision, which follows a police briefing with
ministry officials, has left 13 staff redundant
1992-0828 - Letter by Karen
Zelas to Police
Letter by Karen Zelas. The so called “Smoking Gun” letter.
It is clear that "Z"'s parents elicited disclosures of abuse by
Peter Ellis by highly leading questioning. Tommy's brother and parents did
the same. In Tommy's case, the parents subjected him to intensive
interrogation pertaining to `ritual' abuse between the three August
interviews which were on consecutive days. Tommy would then disclose in the
next interview with Sue Sidey the information elicited by his parents the
previous night
1992-0814 - Radio NZ - Morning
Report
Customs minister, Murray McCully, says child pornography is increasing and
short of heavier penalties there's little the customs department can do to
combat it quickly
1992-0806 - The Press -
Depositions
The depositions
hearing relating to alleged indecency on children at the Christchurch Civic
Child Care Centre by a former worker, Peter Hugh McGregor Ellis, has been set
down to last five weeks.
1992-0415 - The Press - Four new
charges laid
New April 6
2005
Four new charges
were laid yesterday against a former child care worker at the Christchurch
Civic Child Care Centre when his case was called before Judge Hattaway in the
District Court
1992-0414 - TVNZ - Network News
Reporter Sallie Pears -The man at the centre of the Christchurch childcare
sexual abuse case at the Civic Child Care Centre is back in court facing
another five charges, all involving children under the age of four
1992-0331 - The Press - Charge
laid
A former Civic Child
Care Centre worker will appear in court in Christchurch today on one charge
of indecent assault. The man’s lawyer, Mr Chris Knight, said the man was
arrested and charged yesterday afternoon
1992-0331 - TVNZ - Tonight
Parents of children who have attended Christchurch Civic Child Care Centre
gathered tonight for the first time since charges were laid against the man
at the centre of the child sexual abuse controv
1992-0331 - TVNZ - Network News
The man at the centre of the Civic Child Care sex abuse case in Christchurch
made a brief court appearance today, he faces one charge, but police
indicated more would follow
1992-0328 - The Press - Action
against council
by Chris Topp - The
man at the centre of the investigation into possible sexual abuse at the
Civic Child Care Centre has started legal proceedings against the
Christchurch City Council for unfair dismissal. The man was dismissed from
the centre last month as the police continued their investigation into
allegations from parents of children at the centre that their children may
have been sexually abused.
1992-0327 - TVNZ - Network
News
It is understood Christchurch police are poised to lay the first charges in
the Civic Child Care Centre sexual abuse investigation and that only three
months ago police were satisfied there was no evidence of sexual abuse at the
centre
1992-0324 - The Press -
Record of abusers backed
New
April 6 2005
The
Canterbury Council for Civil Liberties would not object to a register of
convicted child molesters, but says its use should be restricted. The
Citizens Against Violence group called for the register after the
announcement of a child abuse inquiry centring on the Civic Child Care Centre
in Christchurch
1992-0324 - The Press - Sacking not
abuse related - Union
by Chris Topp - The man at the centre of the police investigation into
possible sexual abuse at the Civic Child Care Centre may take legal action
against his job dismissal. He was not dismissed because of any evidence of
child molestation says his union. The secretary of the Southern Local
Government Officers Union, Mr Peter Lawson said yesterday that the man was
considering a personal grievance against the Christchurch City Council for
unfair dismissal. “In fact, I’m not really sure why the council dismissed him
last month,” he said. The council's metropolitan services manager Mr Rob
Dally said yesterday the reason for the mans dismissal was confidential
between the council and the former employee. Mr Lawson said the man had not
been interviewed by the police even though the investigation had been going
on for several months.
1992-0323 - TVNZ - Network News
The man at the centre of the investigation into child sexual abuse at the
Civic Child Care Centre in Christchurch has not been interviewed by the
police
1992-0323 - TVNZ - Holmes
A remote interview with child psychologist Karen Zelas concerning the options
open to parents who fear their children may have been sexually molested by a
day care worker at a Christchurch city crèche
1992-0323 - The Press -
Parents in terror of abuse discovery
by Chris Topp - Many
Christchurch parents are living in terror of discovering their children have
been sexually abused as they await the results of a police investigation of
the Civic Child Care Centre. Some of the parents, through a spokeswoman,
yesterday expressed fear and horror after preliminary inquiries into
allegations of children being sexually abused at the centre led to a police
investigation.
1992-0321 - TVNZ - Network News
Parents of children attending the Civic Child Care Centre in Christchurch in
the centre of an investigation of child sexual abuse allegations have been
told not to confront their children
1992-0321 - The Press - Childcare
sex abuse inquiry
by Barry Clarke - Preliminary inquiries into allegations of children being
sexually abused at the Christchurch Civic Child Care Centre have led to a
police investigation. Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Dalzell said yesterday
many children would be interviewed. They included children now in care at the
crèche and those who had attended in the past. The investigation is expected
to take several months. The Christchurch City Council, which gives
arms-length assistance to the centre, yesterday sent letters to 180 families
of children who had attended since 1986-87, when the man at the centre of the
inquiry was employed. The letter invites them to a meeting on March 31, when
the police and Social Welfare Department staff will explain how to identify
sexual abuse.
1992-0320 - TVNZ - Tonight
Police investigate allegations of sexual abuse by a worker of up to 50
children at the Civic Child Care Centre in Christchurch
1992-0320 - TVNZ - Network News
Police investigate allegations of sexual abuse by a worker of up to 50
children at the Civic Child Care Centre in Christchurch
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