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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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The Press
August 27, 2002

70 sex-abuse cases surface at old school
by Yvonne Martin

Seventy men have complained of sex abuse at a former Christchurch Catholic residential school.

The number of men who have complained to the St John of God Order about abuse suffered as boys at Marylands has jumped from 48 a month ago.

Brother Peter Burke, the visiting Australasian head of the order which ran the school for boys with intellectual and learning problems until 1984, has repeatedly advised complainants to go to the police.

Hornby Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Landreth said new complainants were still coming forward.

"You are talking about almost a 30-year period," said Mr Landreth. "I know there are more out there."

The complaints received by the order implicate four brothers and two senior students at Marylands. One of the two brothers remaining in the order has been stood down, and another is retired.

One complainant, who supplied The Press a copy of his police statement, claims he was abused by two brothers at Marylands in the early 1970s.

One brother took him for walks around the farm, where he alleges he was repeatedly sexually abused.

Brother Burke completes a week- long North Island visit today, his third trip to New Zealand. This time he met 15 complainants.