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The Court of Appeal's latest
rejection of an appeal by convicted child abuser Peter Ellis has put his
guilt beyond all doubt, a spokeswoman for the complainants says. Sex-abuse counsellor
Reverend Patricia Allen, speaking on behalf of relatives of children who
attended the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre, said the children and their
families had endured years of accusation and ridicule from the media and the
community for having the courage to speak up. "Their honesty and courage
stopped the abuse at the Civic Creche. Now is the
time for Ellis's victims to be allowed, at last, to lead as near normal lives
as possible," she said. "It is to be hoped that they,
and all victims of pedophiles, can have confidence that society will care
for, listen to, and support children by condemning all forms of
pedophilia." Ellis is serving a 10-year jail
sentence on 13 convictions of abusing children in his care. He is due to be
released in February. His supporters say they will continue the battle to
clear his name. His lawyer will file an application next week asking the
Governor-General for a commission of inquiry into the case. |
