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Accusations of Abuse in
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The Press
March 18, 2003
Sex-abuse claims target 14
by Yvonne Martin
Fourteen
religious brothers were allegedly involved in sexually abusing boys at a
Catholic residential school in
Former pupils have identified 13 brothers as alleged abusers to police
investigators. They have also reported abuse by another unnamed brother and a
nightwatchman.
Of these, seven accused brothers and the former nightwatchman are still alive
and under investigation by a team of four police officers.
The Australasian head of the Order, Brother Peter Burke, who is offering $4m
compensation to 56 of more than 70 complainants, said he was surprised by the
rising tally of the accused. "I haven't had that information before, so
that surprises me," he said.
Brother Burke said he did not know if the abuse was organised among the
brothers, nor how many members were aware of it.
"I wouldn't want to even question people on that. It is up to the police
to do that," he said.
Brothers at the centre of complaints had been withdrawn from ministry and were
living in a community in
"The ones I know of are waiting now for the police to come and question
them," said Brother Burke. He had been told it could be another two months
before police were ready to interview suspects.
One complainant, Justin Richardson, has spoken of brothers acting together
during his time at
"At night the brothers on duty would come into the dormitories and shine
their torchlights on the boys' beds," he said.
"In order to avoid being `chosen' on these occasions I would hide in the
closet before the brothers did their rounds and only return to bed when I
thought it was safe."
On another occasion Mr Richardson remembers being singled out to watch blue
movies with the brothers. "We were in the TV room, there were four
brothers and we were made to watch pornographic movies while the brothers
rubbed themselves. One of the movies I can remember watching was In Bed and Out
of Bed."
He is still waiting to see what portion of the $4m he will be offered. Mr
Richardson has heard shares vary from $30,000 to $100,000. "Big money to
me is $1000," he said.
Patrick, a Christchurch man already paid $30,000 by St John of God in 1999 on
condition he kept quiet about the alleged abuse, is leaning towards accepting
his latest written offer. "It could stretch on for ages and you could
spend most of your money on lawyer's fees," he said.
"The bottom-line question will be: why would a sodomy be worth less in
"At this stage we'll almost certainly be advising clients not to accept
the offer."
Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust manager Ken Clearwater, who supports 37
complainants, said the offers had sent many into a state of shock.
Some men had complained that the Order's statement about having to borrow money
to cover the compensation payments had given them "a guilt trip".