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Otago Daily Times
January 15, 2004
Abuse at Sedgley spanned 40 years
NZPA
Masterton:
New information has shown sexual offending at the former Sedgley Boys Home in
Masterton spanned four decades, more than two perpetrators and multiple
victims, the inquiry set up to investigate the offending has discovered.
Previously, the sexual offending was thought to be confined to one period and
one offender in the 1960s.
Now, Sedgley inquiry spokeswoman Lisa Rossiter has said the offending was not
isolated and happened at times between the 1940s and 1970s.
"Unfortunately, there is more than one victim and more than one
perpetrator.
"The interim report has found that there were instances of abuse at
several different times of Sedgley's existence unfortunately."
Ms Rossiter said there were more than two perpetrators.
The boys' home closed in the 1980s but the Sedgley Family Centre operates out
of the same site and its board, which was appointed by the Anglican Church,
undertook the investigation and appointed the inquiry team.
Ms Rossiter said the inquiry team had finished an interim report but had not
presented it to the board as the report was being circulated to complainants.
She said there were still just three formal complaints but between 15 and 20
other people had also contacted the inquiry team about their experiences at the
home.
Ms Rossiter said the team hoped to present the report as soon as the
complainants' comments were received.
"It will be a report to the board and will contain a series of
recommendations. Everything is out in the open now and I would hope [the report
would be ready in] February but it may be March."