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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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The Dominion
July 3, 2002

Sex-abuse claims mount against ex-Hutt teachers

Allegations of sexual abuse are mounting against two former Hutt Valley teachers, one of whom is a former Catholic priest who may be extradited from England to face charges.

Upper Hutt police have received three new sexual abuse complaints against Marist priest Alan Woodcock, who taught at St Patrick's College, Silverstream, in the 1980s.

The new claims follow revelations that Woodcock, 54, allegedly abused four boys before being removed from the school. He now faces six complaints.

Detective Sergeant Murray Porter said two of the new complainants were former students at St Patrick's College, and the third was from another Catholic institution.

Police would investigate the fresh complaints this week and Mr Porter said he hoped to pass the file on Woodcock to police national headquarters early next week. From there, a decision would be made on whether to extradite him from London.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Church is considering setting up a national 0800 number for victims to report abuse at the hands of the clergy.

Communications director Lyndsay Freer said a decision would be made by the end of the week.