www.peterellis.co.nz : seeking justice for Peter Ellis : mail to: [email protected]

Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

Index: Home Page Peter Ellis
Index: Accusations in Institutions

The Press
July 12, 2002

Venue upsets alleged victims
by Yvonne Martin

Alleged sex-abuse victims who are meeting the visiting leader of a troubled Catholic order are upset that the proposed venue is its solicitor's office.

Brother Peter Burke, the Sydney- based Australasian head of the Order of St John of God, visits next week to meet 11 alleged victims and family members linked to the former Marylands residential school.

However, five complainants have expressed concerns that the meetings have been scheduled at the inner-city office of Christchurch solicitor Lee Robinson, who has represented the order for 20 years.

Ken Clearwater, manager of the Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust, which is supporting the men, said it was "totally insensitive" and "bad taste" for the meetings to be held in a legal setting.

"Even though they may not be using the lawyers, just the fact it is in a lawyer's office is going to put those men on the back foot right from the start," he said.

"I have had calls from men who are really anxious. They (the order) have totally disregarded the feelings of (alleged) victims."

Mr Clearwater said he offered the trust's office as a meeting venue, but it was not taken up.

One former boarder at Marylands, which is at the centre of abuse allegations, said he was "a bit dubious" about meeting Brother Burke at the solicitor's office. He said he would have felt "safer" discussing matters at the trust's office.

Brother Burke said he was prepared to meet people wherever they preferred.

"All they need to do is let me know where it is they would prefer to meet, if the offer -- in good faith -- to meet in a meeting room in the city in Cambridge Terrace is not acceptable," he said.

Brother Burke said the order also set up its freephone number in good faith, and he had taken most of the calls himself.

"In addition, I have readily agreed to meet personally (without our legal representative) anyone and everyone who has asked to meet with me," he said.

Four St John of God brothers who worked in Christchurch have had claims made against them in the past, for which the order has paid out $300,000 to five complainants.

Brother Burke will also meet the police who are investigating several fresh complaints against brothers, and visit three Paparua Prison inmates who have complained of abuse. An inmate at Invercargill Prison has also alleged abuse.