BishopAccountability.org

Inclusion of churches in state abuse inquiry welcomed

Newstalk ZB
November 13, 2018

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition/audio/phillip-chapman-inclusion-of-churches-in-state-abuse-inquiry-welcomed/

[with video]

A victims advocate says including religious organisations in the inquiry into abuse in state care is a good start.

Following an outpouring of requests, the Government has decided to expand its inquiry to include faith-based institutions, and those who were victims of physical abuse. 

Male Survivors Aotearoa chair, Phillip Chapman told Kate Hawkesby they're just one of the organisations which asked for the inquiry to be expanded.

"We did put in a submission, like many others, and asked for it to be expanded. The Prime Minister said they had heard, so I would be interested how many of those submissions must have said the same thing."

While the scope of the inquiry has been expanded, Chapman said it's still not as extensive as he would like.

"Abuse in this country happens in lots of places as we know. This is widespread in this country." 

"Having come through a boys' school a long time ago, I am aware what goes on in schools," he said.

"It doesn't expand as far as we would like but I understand that the wider you do this, the cost escalates, the time, it's difficult, so ... I can understand why they kept it at that."

He said he is hoping the inquiry will ensure the victims are properly cared for.

"I have some expectations that survivors are going to be cared for, and looked after, and supported through this, and compensated, and provided with counselling and things they need."

"The men we work with who were abused as children are still weeping at the age of 70 about what happened to them. So this is massive, you don't just get over this and move forward."

"It's a disastrous thing to happen when a child loses trust in an adult who is meant to be there to protect and care for them."

Chapman said it can be extremely damaging when kids are abused within a religious organisation.

"These people were the next thing to God in those days. Especially the Catholic Churches where boys were sent to choirs and sent to work with these priests. And the very people who were supposed to care for them were raping them."

Having worked with different religious groups, he said the churches are welcoming the inquiry.

He said the Catholic Church has expressed interest in working with him to help victims of abuse.




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