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The
Christchurch Civic Creche Case |
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Peter Ellis says the
fight to clear his name is not just for himself. He says it's for the
innocence of the children involved in the Christchurch Civic Creche case; for
the rights of New Zealand men to interact freely with children -- and after
his 6 1/2 years behind bars, it's now also for justice reform. Ellis, 41, walked free
from Paparua Prison this month after being convicted in 1993 on 16 charges of
sexually abusing seven children in his care at the Civic Creche. He has always
maintained his innocence and has lodged a third application to the
governor-general for a pardon and commission of inquiry. Justice Minister Phil
Goff is considering an inquiry into the case. Ellis yesterday said he
wanted those involved in any inquiry to remove the emotions of the case,
particularly the families directly involved. "I do want them to stand
back and . . . hope positively that perhaps, just perhaps, I have spent the 6
1/2 years fighting for them just as much as I have been fighting to clear my
name. "That is what
being a childcare worker is. It's standing up and saying to the children: `It
didn't happen and this is not fair on you, it's not fair on your
parents'," Ellis said on TV3's 20/20. Ellis said that he
could not afford to be bitter at the justice system because it would diminish
the support of those who believed in his innocence. However, after
"watching the wrong people in prison struggling through it all", he
believed there was a need for justice reform. Despite his lack of
bitterness, Ellis said he was angry at the repercussions of the case. "It took away a
brilliant creche (and) it effectively threw a huge stone in the middle of a
pond and that ripple didn't just stop at the Civic Creche. "It stopped
grandfathers from picking up their first grandchild because they're a bit
worried, it stops uncles from . . . picking up their nephews and nieces from
play groups, and it stops the fathers of New Zealand participating fully with
their children." The country was also
losing valuable male teachers in early childhood centres and primary schools.
-------------------- CAPTION: PETER ELLIS: not bitter. |
