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23 September 1999
The Honourable Tony Ryall
The Minister of Justice
c/- Parliament Buildings
WELLINGTON
Dear Minister
Peter Hugh McGregor Ellis
On behalf of my son Peter, myself and the numerous people of New Zealand who have
experienced concerns about the Civic Crèche Inquiry and given their personal
support of Peter, I urge you to call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into
the Christchurch Civic Crèche Investigation.
I make this plea knowing that we still await the outcome of Peter's Appeal
but a Royal Commission is a separate issue and a course that should be
followed regardless of the outcome of the Appeal. I say this because I have
sat through two Appeals and have been quite distressed by the limitations of
the appeal process. The Courts seem so hung up on procedure and
technicalities whereas Peter and I have only ever been interested in the
truth. We want the whole picture to be seen and think that most New Zealand
people would agree that that's what Justice is all about.
The government is concerned at why young men do not go into teaching very
young children. I would have thought Peter's case provides a very strong
reason why they do not.
You have to ask yourself how an Education Review Office Report that was conducted
at exactly the same time as the supposed offending could find that the Crèche
was such a positive and happy environment for the children.
A Royal Commission could carry out an inquiry whereas the Court of Appeal has
repeatedly said it will not. The investigation and prosecution of allegations
of sexual abuse against children is an important matter for the whole of
society. We need to ensure that whilst the guilty are convicted the innocent
are acquitted. It is vital for everyone that the investigation be done
properly and that Courts can rely on getting the whole picture not just
selected bits.
I have learned from the appeal that other countries have recognised the need
for special care in crèche type cases and Australia has held a Royal
Commission of Inquiry that included identifying the dangers associated with
the prosecution of mass hysteria crèche type cases. Why as a country do we in
New Zealand
lag behind.
It is time to stop hiding behind technicalities and carry out a full inquiry
for the good of all of Society.
Yours faithfully
Lesley Ellis
On behalf of myself and my son Peter
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