|
Otago Daily Times
Wednesday, 2-February 2000
Plea to not forget Ellis' victims
NZPA
Wellington: The commissioner for children is
urging people not to forget the child victims of convicted child abuser Peter
Ellis, who is to be released from prison today.
Roger McClay said that in the years since Ellis' conviction for sexually
abusing seven children in his care at Christchurch Civic Creche, there had
been a concentrated campaign by his supporters to clear his name.
However, it was important to remember that Ellis' conviction was the result
of a lengthy legal process, at the end of which the court concluded he was
guilty.
"The sexual abuse of our children should never be forgotten or forgiven.
Remember child victims today," Mr McClay said in a statement.
As commissioner for children, he said he wanted to speak up for the victims
and their families whose intense trauma over the past seven years continued,
in part, because of ongoing media coverage of the case.
"As a society, we must ensure that these children's rights to safety,
privacy and freedom from further physical, sexual and emotional abuse are
upheld," he said.
Child abuse was a particularly disgusting form of abuse and it was time for
everyone to stand up and ensure the rights of children were upheld.
"As a nation, we must give them and their families the best possible
chance to rebuild their shattered lives," Mr McClay said.
Ellis (41) was convicted in 1993 on 16 abuse charges. His release today is
automatic after serving two-thirds of his 10-year sentence.
He has always protested his innocence and doubts have emerged about the way
allegations against him arose, the way children were interviewed, and the
impartiality of his trial jury.
Ellis' mother, Lesley, last week said her son planned to live with her
following his release and she hoped a job for him would be finalised soon.
He must abide by special terms: live at a specified address, not contact the
victims or their families without the written consent of his probation
officer, and not do any paid or voluntary work without the officer's
approval.
|
