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This page last
updated January 19 2007
2007-1230 - Sunday Star Times - QC rubbishes
Scott Watson case claims
2007-1222 - Otago Daily Times - New
material for Ellis appeal
2007-1222 - The Press -
Modern parallel
2007-1222 - The Press -
Civic interviews unsafe
2007-1222 - The Press -
Bureaucratic obstruction denies me justice
2007-1222 - Poneke's Weblog -
Peter Ellis Case
2007-1222 - NZ Herald - Ellis
defence tries for legal aid
2007-1221 - Stuff - Doubts on
child interviews may fuel appeal
2007-1218 - The Press -
Support creche inquiry
2007-1218 - Otago Daily Times -
Fresh doubts voiced about Ellis case
2007-1217 - Three News -
Fresh doubts aired on child interviews in Ellis creche case
2007-1217 - Stuff - 'Strong risk' Ellis
evidence contaminated - academic
2007-1217 - Kiwiblog -
The Innocence Project
2007-1217 - Dominion Post
- DNA blunders sow doubts - academic
2007-1217 - Poneke's Weblog - Civic
case child interviews “worse than the worst”
2007-1217 - Poneke's Weblog -
Breaking News in Civic case at noon today
2007-1217 - NZ Herald - Fresh
doubts aired on child interviews in Ellis creche case
2007-1216 - Poneke's Weblog
- Innocence Project seeks redress for victims of NZ’s flawed “justice” system
2007-1213 - Scoop - Wide-ranging
inquiry into Ellis case hard to resist
2007-1208 - The Timaru Herald
- New calls for inquiry into Ellis case
2007-1208 - The Press - Peter
Ellis case
2007-1001 - NZ
Government - New appointment for the Law Commission
December
10 2007 - Harlene Hayne summarises paper re evidential interviews in case
 Professor Harlene Hayne publishes a summary of a paper to
be presented to the inaugural Innocence Project conference in Wellington. Her
paper is “An Empirical Analysis of the
Evidential Interviews in the Peter Ellis Case”
2007-1210
- Prof Harlene Hayne - Summary of paper
Professor Harlene Hayne
December
7 2007 - Police credibility low in cases like Peter Ellis?
Stuart Keene of
Tauranga writing in a letter to the Editor says that It's time police
recognised their credibility in such cases is zero. “The street copper does a
good job. ...It's in high-profile cases where they come unstuck.
2007-1207
- Dominion Post - Objectivity is non-existent
December
2 2007 - NZ Herald Editorial
“The case of Peter
Ellis remains an ugly stain on the pages of our judicial history”
2007-1202
- NZ Herald Editorial - Police cannot ignore concerns
June
23 2007; Freda Briggs controversy featured
 Matt Philp of The Press (June 23) features the controversy. Freda Briggs
defends herself by saying there was an "orchestrated campaign against
her", her critics were "Peter Ellis supporters", and that it
was a vendetta. Lynley Hood said
"the hysteria surrounding the subject is so pervasive that anyone who
suggests a more thoughtful discussion risks being accused of being in
denial". Professor Alison Jones outlined a similar problem she had with
Briggs.
2007-0623 -
The Press - Stirring up a debate that never goes away
The Press Letters editor Michael
Vance says the debate "was justified. The issues involved free
speech - important to us and to all citizens. Ross Francis, Lynley Hood and others weighed in trenchantly.
Anyone who missed their letters should seek them out as they clearly make the
case for unfettered debate."
2007-0623 -
The Press - Postscript.htm
Gordon Waugh writes in response to the feature saying that there are
many matters in Briggs' claims which need rational debate, one simple example
being her repetition of the opinions of school counsellors who claim a sexual
abuse rate of 44 per cent. "That is inaccurate and unscientific hearsay"
2007-0626 - The
Press - Hold her peace
June
23 2007; Concerns with Bain and Ellis cases
Concerns about
the initial Bain trial and the Peter Ellis case -- was that potential
evidence that struck to the heart of the matter did not go before the jury
2007-0623
- Southland Times - Bringing it on
June
17 2007; Parallels with "The Crucible"
 The Auckland Theatre Company's production of The Crucible opens
shortly. Arthur Miller's 1952 play of The Crucible is based on the 1692 witch
trials of Salem, Massachusetts - which Miller used as an
allegory for McCarthyism and the Red Scare. Director Colin McColl says the
parallels today are startling. "The Peter Ellis Christchurch creche
thing is a perfect example of a community gone mad with a witch hunt."
2007-0617 -
Sunday Star Times - Winston's girl enters
2007-0706 -
Newstalk ZB - Plenty of heat in The Crucible
June
13 2007; Press Council upholds Briggs complaint; Decision criticised
Freda Briggs made
a complaint to the Press Council about the correspondence in the Press (refer
February 2007 below). The Council upheld her complaint, saying that criticism
against Briggs was unfair.
2007-0613
- The Press - Press complaint upheld
The Press Council decision was immediately criticised. R
Christie (June 14) pointed out that Freda Briggs misrepresented
claims made by her critics. "In the course of debate Briggs claimed that
her critics alleged that she lacked qualifications; that her critics were in
error in claiming she supported claims of wide-spread existence of ritual
abuse groups; that her critics deny the existence of child abuse. None of
these claims are supported by the record"
Ross Francis (June 16) defended his letter that the Press Council had deemed unfair,
and reiterated the his central criticism that there are no behaviours
specific to child sexual abuse.
Freda Briggs
"sex abuse claims worthless"
Lynley Hood (June
16) also noted that Freda Briggs had left Mr Francis' concerns unaddressed.
She said "Shame on the Press Council for capitulating" to Briggs'
outrage, and reminded the Council of the need for freedom of expression
Brian Robinson (June 18) condemned the Council decision, saying that the
ruling will be unfortunate if it has a chilling effect on debate.
2007-0614 -
The Press - Press Council Wrong
2007-0616
- The Press - Press Council has disgraced itself over complaint
2007-0616 -
The Press - Shame on them
2007-0618 -
The Press - Debate chilled
June
3 2007; Freda Briggs criticised: "Her claims should be ignored"
Freda Briggs
(refer earlier debate February 2007 below) is again criticised for
stereotyping and demonising New
Zealand males. "Ms Briggs claims
about the prevalence of child sexual abuse in New Zealand are worthless, and
should be ignored"
2007-0603 - Otago Daily Times - Child
Sex Abuse Claims Worthless
May
27 2007; Focus on Justice Williamson
Derek Round discusses court decisions that
"seem like madness". In relation to the Ellis case he says "In
the Bain and Ellis trials, Justice Williamson. who held strong moral views
arising from his family's Catholic background, ruled as inadmissible evidence
which defence counsel argued unsuccessfully was crucial to their case"
2007-0527 - Sunday
Star Times - When a court decision seems like madness, it may well be
Justice Williamson's son Greg Williamson, asks
Derek Round to apologise for the above remark! "His clumsy inference that my late
father Mr Justice Neil Williamson acted in anything but a fair manner in the
trials of Peter Ellis and David Bain is grossly unfair and patently
untrue." Derek Round responds saying there was no suggestion that
Williamson acted in anything but a fair manner.
Paula
Weir agrees with Derek Round's concerns about prosecutors becoming
judges. "Our prosecutors - if they should desire at some stage to take
the bench - should be placed under a great deal of scrutiny, as the ability
to impartially judge a person is the cornerstone of our judicial system"
2007-0603
- Sunday Star Times - On Justice Williamson
2007-0610 - Sunday
Star Times - A step into impartiality
May
27 2007; Has the Bain case exposed flaws in judicial system?
Jenni McManus reports on how the Bain case has
divided the legal profession.
Scott
Optican on one side "It's a question of process, of decision-
making and the way you look at the facts," he says. "It's all about
the trial process and the appellate process, fresh evidence and the
consequent safety of the conviction. It's simply two courts asking
themselves, based on fresh evidence, whether a reasonable jury could have
come back the other way."
Others argue the Court of Appeal, like other parts of the
court structure, has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and the
sanctity of the system. "Judges have a vested interest in the operation
of the system rather than the integrity of the system. This gets worse the
higher up you go.
2007-0527
- Sunday Star Times - Courting controversy
May
26 2007; Support for Project Innocence
Paula Weir writes: With the release of David
Bain, and the huge cloud that will forever remain over the Peter Ellis
conviction, it's obvious that we've had enough of malicious and pyrrhic
prosecutions, and the subsequent waste of taxpayer dollars, along with the
psychological destruction of wrongfully accused individuals and their
families
2007-0526
- Dominion Post - Project Innocence a positive move
May
20 2007; NZ Herald (Herald on Sunday) discusses Ellis case
The Editorial says there was something profoundly distasteful
about the impromptu press conference cum scrum on the steps of the High Court
at Christchurch
[at the conclusion of the Bain hearing]. ........ It must have been doubly
nauseating for supporters of the manifestly innocent Peter Ellis who emerged
from prison, his head held high, having served his full sentence - and was
virtually ignored
Jared Savage notes that both Bain and Ellis
were convicted by the same judge - and further doubts have been raised over
his rulings to omit evidence from their high-profile trials.
2007-0520 - NZ
Herald - Principles of justice demand the Bain case run its course
2007-0520 -
NZ Herald - Ruling raises doubts over Ellis conviction
May
18 2007; Keith Hunter "Trial by Trickery"
Keith
Hunter
An Auckland author who is fiercely critical of the prosecution of Scott
Watson is pushing for an overhaul of the country's justice system, and has
found some support for his cause from MPs. ..... Hunter says he's not
targeting Watson's case alone, but the system, because of his disgust at what
he encountered.
2007-0518 - Waikato Times -
Fighting for freedom
May
15-18 2007; Issues about or relating to Peter Ellis
Michael Goodson notes that over a decade and a half ago, mob
opinion helped convict Peter Ellis, who is now widely believed to be
innocent, and, reversing the phenomenon, the mood of the nation now seems set
to exonerate Mr Bain.
National Party MP
Dr Richard Worth asks whether we have a legal system or a justice system?
He reviews the Thorp report on miscarriages of justice: It noted that
miscarriages of justice occur because of a combination of systemic conditions
many of which remain in New
Zealand. It also said that the frequency
of miscarriages of justice in New
Zealand had been under-estimated. He also
highlights the recommendation from the select committee which looked at the
Peter Ellis case: that there be reform of the Royal prerogative of Mercy
system by the establishment of a body similar to the United Kingdom's
Criminal Cases Review [Commission].
Two Nelson letter writers have different views: One says "I would really appreciate
people remembering that Peter Ellis is a convicted child abuser." The other says "The person I have
always felt was denied justice is Peter Ellis"
2007-0515
- Nelson Mail - Peter Ellis case
2007-0518 - The
Press - Fine line between mob rule and mood of nation
2007-0518 -
National Party - A legal system or a justice system?
2007-0518
- Nelson Mail - Remember the victims
May
14 2007; Mistakes in Judicial System and Police Investigations criticised
Paula Weir writes: "With the quashing of David Bain's
conviction for murder coming less than a year after the quashing of the
conviction of Rex Haig for the same, and the still worrying miscarriage of
justice in the Peter Ellis case, I believe it is time our politicians sat up
and took notice of the mistakes that keep recurring"
2007-0514 - The
Press - Time for our politicians to sit up and take notice
May
14 2007; Letters concerned about Peter Ellis
John Blumsky: "That no champion has arrived for Peter Ellis is
due, I suggest, to our immaturity in coping with creche circumstances, our
immaturity in coping with Ellis himself and the realisation that ultimately
the challenge lies against the State"
JS Fisher:
"How about Peter Ellis? He was the victim of hysteria, addiction to
superstition, poor quality police work, prejudice, instilled beliefs in
children and confusion by parents, examiners and police, between
homosexuality and paedophilia, the latter being more common in
heterosexuals."
2007-0514 - The Press - How about
Ellis?
2007-0514 - The Press - Name in
history
May
13 2007; More advocacy for a Criminal Cases Review Commission
Scott
Optican
Coming on board, advocating for a Review
Commission
Associate Professor of Law Scott
Optican says it should not be left
up to fate to see justice done and is calling for the establishment of a
new body to examine dubious convictions
Green Justice
Spokesperson Nandor Tanczos strongly supports the recommendation of Sir Thomas Thorp
for an independent Criminal Appeals Review Office, as exists in Canada and the United Kingdom. "A number of
criminal convictions, such as Scott Watson, Peter Ellis and John Barlow, need
to be reviewed following the Privy Council decision on the Bain cases"
Sir Thomas Thorp does not see much unique about
the ways in which New
Zealand's justice system fails. If there's
anything notable about New Zealand's innocence industry, says Thorp, it is
that so very few post- appeal conviction reviews are sought by Maori and
Pacific Islanders: they make up over 50% of the prison population, yet make
around 11% of the miscarriage claims.
Pat Booth says the selection of evidence in
the Peter Ellis case, any evidence from the kids that sounded way out, they
just dropped it, although in effect it discredited the whole of their
evidence. There are some serious flaws. "There has been a climate in the
police force, which dates back to the Thomas case and before, that `this guy
is crooked; he's guilty; we lack a piece of evidence: let's find it. Or,
there is evidence that doesn't necessarily point to his guilt and in fact may
point away from it - so let's not use it'."
Peterellis.org.nz also issued a press release
saying that a Criminal Cases Review Commission must be put in place as soon
as possible. This site queries the statement of the Minister of Justice, Mark
Burton, that New Zealand
is "too small" to have such a Commission
2007-0513 -
Three News - Top lawyer calls for new legal body after Bain case
2007-0513 -
Sunday Star Times - Reasonable doubt
2007-0514
- Green Party - Other convictions need review
2007-0514
- peterellis.org.nz - Criminal Cases Review Commission
May
12 2007; Peter Ellis to make Privy Council Bid
The lawyer acting
for Peter Ellis intends applying to the Privy Council for leave to appeal. Judith Ablett-Kerr QC says although
no two cases are alike, she is encouraged by the Council's decision to quash
David Bain's convictions. Ablett-Kerr plans to file Ellis' petition with the
Privy Council in the next fortnight
2007-0512 -
One News - Ellis to make Privy Council bid
2007-0512
- Dominion Post - Lawyers want extra legal watchdog
May
11 2007; Issues of Compensation for wrongly convicted discussed
Stuart Grieve QC, who was involved in determining the compensation
for David Dougherty, who was wrongfully convicted of rape, says Mr Bain needs
to overcome a number of hurdles to be eligible for a payout. He says if David
Bain is able to demonstrate his innocence, a payout of three to five million
dollars would not be unreasonable
2007-0511
- Radio NZ - Bain compensation
May
11 2007; Criminal Cases Review Commission again advocated
Lawyer Greg King
Lawyer Greg King
wants a criminal cases review authority set up independent of the judiciary.
"You've got cases like Peter Ellis, like Scott Watson, like David Bain...these
are cases which normal rational New Zealanders have concerns about and there
needs to be some mechanism in place where they can be properly assessed and
investigated by someone that is not concerned with trial procedure, but is
concerned with guilt or innocence,"
Lawyer Jonathan
Eaton hopes the Government will act quickly to set up a commission along
the lines of the British authority to review criminal cases
The Green Party are renewing their call for an independent
criminal appeals office. MP Nandor
Tanczos says the appellate system is incapable of dealing with certain
types of cases. Mr Tanczos says an independent office was recommended by Sir
Thomas Thorp in his 2006 report on miscarriages of justice. He says it is
important New Zealanders can continue to have confidence in the justice
system, and vital the government implements Sir Thomas's recommendation
A spokesman for Justice
Minister Mark Burton said a Review Commission was not being considered
2007-0511 -
One News - Privy Council back in spotlight
2007-0511
- Green Party - Criminal Appeals Review Office Needed
2007-0512 -
Newstalk ZB - Bain case could prompt reforms
2007-0512 -
Dominion Post - Bain waits to get on with life
2007-0512
- Dominion Post - Lawyers want extra legal watchdog
May
11 2007; Decision to abolish Privy Council questioned
The Bain Appeal has thrown the spotlight back on the Privy Council. The
Supreme Court is now New
Zealand's ultimate authority, but some
experts are questioning that decision
 Stuart Grieve
"The Privy Council clearly
has the geographical advantage which enables it to be totally
objective," says criminal lawyer Stuart
Grieve. Privy Council proponents say New Zealand's legal community is
too small. Bain is a case in point - two of the judges who sat on his Court
of Appeal hearings, and turned him down, now sit on the Supreme Court
However lawyer Greg
King says the New Zealand Supreme Court provides far easier access to
justice for far more New Zealanders.
Letterwriter D R McKee considers decision to abolish Privy
Council a sign of the sort of democracy we live in
2007-0511 -
One News - Privy Council back in spotlight
2007-0514 - The Press
- Oh, hang on..
May
11 2007; Criticism of NZ Judicial System; Police Investigation
Bain's lawyer Michael Reed QC says the Privy
Council decision is an embarrassment to New Zealand's court system and is
scathing of the initial police investigation.
 Joe Karam,
says New Zealand
needs to take a look at its legal system. He says authorities In New Zealand
need to consider better ways of dealing with mistakes when they are made.
Joe Karam
Michael Guest, QC, who represented Bain at his High Court trial, says the Privy Council
decision raises questions about New Zealand's highest court. He
told Morning Report this is at least the fifth Privy Council decision
in the six years which has rubbished the New Zealand Court of Appeal
Colin Withnall, QC, who has worked on the Bain case, says that what the Privy Council in
London heard
is basically what the New Zealand Court of Appeal heard
A prominent defence lawyer, John Billington, QC, told Nine to
Noon that the outcome should serve as a wake-up call. He said the ability
to take a case overseas and away from a small society such as New Zealand
was an advantage
United Future leader Peter
Dunne said the Bain case raised questions about the way criminal trials
were conducted in New
Zealand and called for the Law Commission
to review the rules of evidence and court procedures. "I am concerned
that the Privy Council has identified serious deficiencies in the way
evidence is presented to New
Zealand courts in cases of this
type." Peter Dunne also refers to
the Peter Ellis case.
National Party Justice spokesman Simon Power is cool on the issue, saying rules of evidence have
already been reviewed.
2007-0511
- One News - Retrial decision in Crown's hands
2007-0511 -
One News - Karam critical of legal system
2007-0511
- United Future Party - Bain decision raises serious questions
2007-0511 -
Radio NZ - United Future calls for review of evidence laws
2007-0511 -
Three News - Privy Council ruling raises serious issues
2007-0511
- NZ Herald - Bain retrial difficult but not impossible - police
2007-0511 -
Newstalk ZB - Bain result raises justice system questions
2007-0511 -
Radio NZ - Lawyers ask how NZ judiciary got Bain case wrong
May
11 2007; David Bain miscarriage of justice - Criticism of NZ Court system
In a 46 page report, the
five law lords of the Privy Council found there was a substantial miscarriage
of justice at Bain's 1995 trial for the murders of his parents and three
siblings in 1994. The Law lords leave no doubt that they consider Justices
Noel Anderson, Andrew Tipping and Susan Glazebrook contributed to the
"substantial miscarriage of justice". The nine points of
"fresh evidence" which the law lords considered pointed to the miscarriage
of justice were also considered by the three Court of Appeal judges
2007-0510 - Privy
Council - Bain appeal judgment
(pdf)
2007-0512 - NZ
Herald - Fair trials reliant on juries having pertinent evidence
April
6 2007; Ablett Kerr trying to get permission to appeal
Lawyer Judith
Ablett-Kerr QC says she has been trying to get permission for an appeal to
the Privy Council since a parliamentary committee recommended last year that
the attorney general not oppose it.
2007-0406 -
One News - Ellis applies for leave to appeal
April
5 2007; The Peter Ellis case discussed on TV
A television
programme in which a TV jury listens to a summary of the evidence of the
Peter Ellis case, discusses the issues presented to them, and delivers their
verdict. The programme provides an
insight into how a jury today may approach the issues. (Further coverage of this programme planned on this site)
2007-0405 -
TV3 - What's your verdict - Peter Ellis
March
30 2007; Early Childhood educators turn their back on Peter Ellis 
Preschool teacher Mike Richards
Amazingly, the conference organised to discuss the severe
shortage of male teachers in preschool education ignored all evidence
suggesting that a fear of false allegations is the reason for the exodus of
men from the profession.
Reference to the Ellis case was discouraged at the conference. Supposedly
"negative coverage" of the Peter Ellis case was stopping men from
entering the profession. Researcher Sarah Farquahar blamed the media saying
it "focussed on the negative". Other delegates said they were
"beginning to put the Ellis case behind them" David Baxendell said
he "hoped the sector was shaking off the Ellis tag" Adam Buckingham said the "positive
aspects needed to be highlighted"
The Ministry of Education issued a press release trumpeting the conclusions
of a speaker from Belgium who recognised the "very bad"
participation rate of male teachers, but suggested that the rates could be
improved by "concerted action by Government, the teacher trainers and
the centres" Not surprisingly such a speaker would have been unaware of
the impact of the Ellis case in New Zealand.
The Early Childhood Council swallowed this line and issued a statement saying
that "childcare centres must try to make men feel welcome and
accepted", again ignoring concerns about false allegations.
The same story appeared a couple of weeks later when teacher Mike Richards
said that Peter Ellis and the actions of a "small minority" have
tainted the reputation of all male teachers..."Peter Ellis doesn't have to ruin it for everyone"
2007-0330 - The
Press - Men scared of abuse label opt out of child care
2007-0401
- Ministry of Education - NZ's potential in early childhood education
2007-0402
- Radio NZ - Call for childcare centres to make men feel more welcome
2007-0414
- Southland Times - Making a difference
March
21 2007; Male education failure relates back to the Peter Ellis case
Letter by Alan
Wilkinson: "Further to the excellent column by Maryanne Garry on the
professional incompetence and collateral damage surrounding the Peter Ellis
case, is the disastrous impact on male participation in education. Following
the Ellis conviction, men left preschool and primary teaching in droves for
two reasons ....
2007-0321 -
The Press - Males bear cost
March
16 2007; Ellis petition going to Privy Council soon
At the same time
as a Privy Council hearing for David Bain has just been completed, there are
reports that Peter Ellis hopes to apply to the Privy Council for leave to
appeal his 1993 convictions within the next few weeks. Peter Ellis' lawyer,
Mrs Ablett Kerr said the Ellis appeal had struck "significant
problems" with the previous solicitor-general unwilling to recommend
funding for it. "Peter Ellis doesn't have a Joe Karam (financial
backer)," she said.
2007-0316 - Three News - Convicted
paedophile planning Privy Council appeal
2007-0316 - Stuff - Ellis
petition going to Privy Council soon
2007-0317 - Manawatu
Standard - Privy Council hopes for Ellis
2007-0317 - NZ Herald - Ellis team
watching Privy Council
March
15 2007; Peter Ellis case referred to in Parliament Question Time
Ron Mark asks the
Minister of Corrections: "Has the Minister seen ..... reports that the
Parole Board failed to parole Peter Ellis because he refused to accept the
guilt of his crime...."
2007-0315 -
NZ Parliament - Questions and Answers
March
15 2007; Interview with Journalist Bruce Ansley
Bruce Ansley, who
covered the Ellis case, is feature guest on Radio NZ Nine to Noon programme
with Kathryn Ryan. In part of the interview, the Ellis case is
discussed. Bruce Ansley: "Well
I thought that Peter Ellis was a very wronged man. Lynley Hood's book, I
think the title summed it up"
2007-0315 -
Radio NZ - Feature Guest: Bruce Ansley
March
13 2007; Ellis case referred to in current political debate about smacking
A current media debate is concerned with proposed law that
will ban smacking. Brian Priestly, media commentator, refers to the Ellis
case saying that it showed us "the problems surrounding young children's
evidence are many and time consuming"
2007-0313 -
The Press - Chaos on the way
March
9 2007; No hysteria in Christchurch, claims anti-Ellis campaigner.
Tighe Instone argues that there was no hysteria in Christchurch associated with the Ellis
case. She claims "it was all very hush-hush and confidential",
quoting the opinion of unidentified people.
2007-0309
- The Press - Rape trial verdicts highlight victims' problems
March
5 2007; Frank Haden dies
 Journalist Frank Haden dies. News
reports of his death refer to him being known as a commentator on the
use and abuse of the English language; his no-nonsense approach to issues;
his roles as a columnist and once editor of the Sunday Times and Auckland
Star, and his battle with prostate cancer since 1998.
2007-0306 - Newswire - Veteran
Journalist Frank Haden Dies
2007-0306 - Radio NZ - Veteran
newspaper columnist Frank Haden dies
2007-0307 - Newstalk
ZB - Wellington journalist Frank Haden dies
2007-0307 - Dominion Post -
Haden dies of cancer
2007-0307 - The Press -
Provocative columnist dies
Tributes to Frank included reports in the National Business Review by David Cohen, and The Press by Mike Crean. David Cohen writes: "Mr Haden's
most strident public moment came in the wake of the 1993 Christchurch Civic
Creche case, in which he consistently, and painstakingly, championed the
cause of its central character. Describing Peter Ellis as "infamously
imprisoned and manifestly innocent," he excoriated the "Druids of
the sex abuse industry," who had brought about Mr Ellis's controversial
conviction."
2007-0309 - National Business Review - A
journalist of the old school
2007-0310 - ThePress -
Columnist who cut to the core
Further public tributes were published in www.tributes.co.nz, where further
tributes may still be added. Those who include comments on Frank's role in
the Ellis case include Lynley Hood and Brian Robinson. Lynley Hood writes
"You led the way for what is now a reality - a people's pardon for Peter
Ellis. With the help of your unflagging support over the past 14 years, maybe
one day Peter will get an official pardon too "
2007-0305 -
Tributes - Frank Haden
March
2 2007; Maryanne Garry says "time to end the abuse"
 Dr Maryanne
Garry, Reader in Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington also
makes reference to The Press report of February 24 in which some of the
"creche children" spoke out. She writes
"The Government ignores the Ellis
case in the hope that it will
go away. But the case will not go away because it is not over."
"Did Ellis
abuse them? As a scientist, I have to conclude that there is an extraordinary
amount of evidence to reject such a hypothesis, but, as one prominent
scientist said, only God and Ellis know the answer to that question."
"I also wonder why aren't we asking a second and equally
important question: if Ellis didn't victimise these children, who did? The
answer is too terrible to bear. Yet perhaps 14 years ago, [the creche
children] were swept up in a whirlwind of accusations, panic and hysteria;
and the adults - who should have helped them "recover" - instead
perpetuated their unhappiness to this day by feeding them into the abuse
machine."
2007-0302 - The
Press - Time to end the abuse
Feb
28 2007; Peter Ellis conviction: factor why few male workers in early
childhood care
"following Peter Ellis' conviction.... men stayed away for fear"
The shortage of men - there are just 132 among New Zealand's 13,741 early
childhood teachers - has prompted a national summit in Christchurch next
month. ...... Dr Farquhar said in the years following Peter Ellis' conviction
for child abuse in the Civic Creche case in 1993, men stayed away from early
childhood education for fear of being accused of abuse. Poor wages and low
status were also factors.
2007-0228 - Dominion Post -
Giving men a place at preschool
2007-0304 - Sunday Star Times - Why
preschools need men
Feb
27 2007; Responses to accusers who have spoken out
A father of one
of the accused childcare workers responds to The Press, saying he has
"little sympathy for the so-called victims of the Christchurch civic creche affair". He
said the furore in Christchurch
at the time of the event can largely be attributed to the poor handling of
the complaints by the then city manager, social-welfare interviewers, the
police and the many so-called experts..... All of the accused suffered
greatly as well
2007-0227 - The Press -
Created hysteria
Gaye Davidson, previously of the staff at the creche,
refers to the dilemma now for some of the parents "about the decision
they made over a decade ago and the realisation that it was wrong, must be
hard to come to terms with"
2007-0228 - The Press -
Parents in dilemma
Alan Wilkinson suggests that instead of wallowing in ACC
compensation and bleating about their lives (Feb 24), the now adult
"creche children" should research all the other worldwide similar
cases of hysterical accusations of child abuse against innocent childcare
workers that occurred at that time and were supported by incompetent
interviewing techniques and psychologists
2007-0301 - The Press - Wallowing
in it
 Feb 24
2007; Accusers of Peter Ellis speak out
Two women, who as
children made accusations against Peter Ellis to social workers, speak out
about their experience. The controversy makes one woman, who received $15,000
from ACC, "sick". The other woman "hates his guts", had
been a difficult teenager. The father
of a boy complainant, who will receive over $40,000 in April said his son is
"messed up"
2007-0224 -
The Press - Civic Creche victims strive for normality
"Kate", attended creche, received $15,000 this
week"- give money back if nothing happened"?
Jan
31 - Feb 24 2007; Advocate criticised
for claiming that teachers should be trained to recognise "signs of
abuse" (there are no signs of behaviours symptomatic of sexual abuse,
and such a claim is dangerous, as the Ellis case shows)
Freda
Briggs -
"Steer clear of her"
"Unsuitable advocate"
A visiting Australian writes letters
to the Editor in two major New Zealand newspapers
Freda Briggs advocates that teachers should be
trained to recognise "signs of abuse"
2007-0131 - The Press - Teachers
role
2007-0131 - Waikato Times -
Sexual abuse
Brigg's
ideas are extremely controversial and she is unsurprisingly immediately
criticised.
Ross Francis says: "Any expert worth their salt knows that there are no signs or
behaviours that are symptomatic of child sexual abuse. Indeed, non-abused
children can and do exhibit the same behaviours as abused children". The
same writer points out Briggs connections with ritual sexual abuse hysteria,
and labels her an "unsuitable
advocate".
2007-0203 - The Press
- Unsuitable advocate
R Christie links the discussion to the Peter
Ellis case: "As the Peter Ellis
case aptly demonstrated, hyper vigilance based upon poor science can also be
damaging to society"
2007-0205 - Waikato Times
- Child abuse
Nancy Sutherland writes with concern about Briggs'
beliefs, and in particular that Briggs endorsed a booklet on "Ritual
Abuse and Torture" in Australia,
which contained mostly irrelevant material and doubtful stories
2007-0206 - The Press - Briggs
beliefs
Freda
Briggs and a supporter respond to the criticism. Both writers ignore the
reason why Freda Briggs was criticised: her advocacy of signs or behaviours
she claims are symptomatic of child sexual abuse.
Hetty Johnston says that Freda Briggs is a
"leader" in child protection and a patron of Hetty Johnston's group
"Bravehearts".
2007-0209 - The Press -
Reputable authority
Freda Briggs is dismayed and outraged. She
points to her employment record and awards she has received.
2007-0210 - The Press -
Exemplary record
Freda Briggs response invites further
warnings about her ideas, especially because she did not respond to the
criticism
R Christie says that because Briggs has made
alarming claims of abuse, the public have a right to know that Briggs also
endorses claims of the widespread existence of ritual abuse rings. Fallout
from the Peter Ellis case shows we are "still cleaning up the mess"
from such previous advocacy.
2007-0216 - The Press -
Still cleaning up
Ross Francis says that Freda Briggs has
attempted to mislead readers of The
Press: Brigg's figures should be treated with caution. There is no way of
verifying if they are correct
2007-0217 - The Press -
Treat with caution
Nancy Sutherland responds to Hetty Johnston:
"Given that the subject is serious, I would suggest that the first step
for this organisation's executive director should be to address the criticism
of Briggs in a cohesive and open way, rather than leaping to this sponsor's
defence without reflection"
2007-0219 - The Press -
Address the criticism
Lynley Hood, the author of "A City Possessed" about the
Civic Creche case, also endorses the suggestion that Politicians, teachers, parents
and police should steer well clear of Freda Briggs. The essential point of Ross Francis letter
remains unchallenged: there are no signs of behaviours symptomatic of sexual
abuse......The misdiagnosis of sexual abuse on the basis of spurious behavioural
indicators, as advocated by Freda Briggs, destroys families, divides
communities and leads to the imprisonment of innocent people
2007-0220 - The Press - Steer
clear of her
Brian Robinson agrees with other correspondents
that Briggs beliefs about ritual abuse are of concern. "Christchurch residents
and Peter Ellis in particular have had the experience of the Christchurch
Creche case and know that such beliefs are a dangerous aberration".
2007-0221 - The Press
- Appropriate warning
Freda
Briggs again defended. Support letters continue to ignore the reason why
Briggs was criticised in the first place however - her advocacy of signs or
behaviours she claims are symptomatic of child sexual abuse
Freda Briggs responds again, calling criticism
vitriol, and appearing to be from people "in denial that child abuse
occurs. Peterellis.org.nz checks Freda
Briggs' claims
2007-0221 - The Press - My record
distorted
Australian
correspondent Cathy Kezelman
claims the criticism of Briggs is based on ignorance and fear, and
"uninformed denial" of sexual abuse. She does not justify such
claims.
2007-0222 - The Press -
Thanks to Briggs
Australian
correspondents N&G Schmidt say
that criticism of Briggs' claims is "all about the continuing refusal of
some Christchurch people to accept that Peter Ellis was guilty".They
misrepresent the original criticism by stating that "training teachers
and child-care workers in child-protection does not result in false
allegations; it results in fewer mistakes"
2007-0224 - The Press - Think
about that
Writer
responds to Freda Briggs suggestions that he is in denial that child abuse
occurs
Ross Francis says such a claim (that he is
denial of child abuse) is "unworthy" of Freda Briggs. His criticism
was not vitriolic, and he points out concerns with her research.
2007-0224 - The Press - Abuse not
on list
|
peterellis.org.nz
Freda Briggs was criticised for
making the dangerous assertion that "teachers should be trained to
recognise signs of abuse".
Ross Francis explained "there are no signs or behaviours
that are symptomatic of child sexual abuse. Indeed, non-abused children can
and do exhibit the same behaviours as abused children"
Lynley Hood endorsed this and pointed why
Freda Briggs ideas are dangerous: "The misdiagnosis of sexual abuse on
the basis of spurious behavioural indicators, as advocated by Freda Briggs,
destroys families, divides communities and leads to the imprisonment of
innocent people"
Freda Briggs was dismayed by the
criticism, but never responded to the fundamental issue. Instead she and
her supporters finally resorted to claiming that those who disagreed with
her are "in denial that child abuse occurs", or based their
arguments on "ignorance and fear" or that it was about the
"refusal to accept the guilt of Peter Ellis"
Freda Briggs needs reminding that a worthy cause
provides no exemption from valid criticism. Her ideas are dangerous, and
should not be listened to if she cannot respond to criticism.
|
Jan
19 2007; Media refer to Ellis's
"People's Pardon" as accepted fact
A Queenstown man
refers to how the Christchurch Civic Creche case scared him away from early
childhood teaching; The Southland Times introduces the time by saying: "The Christchurch Civic Creche abuse
case, for which childcare worker Peter
Ellis has since received a people's pardon, had just broken out
2007-0119 - Southland
Times - Making an impact on Queenstown
|
