Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ / Phil Pennington
The Chief Victims Advisor says there needs to be an independent investigation into historical allegations of sexual abuse at St Bede’s College.
The Christchurch boys’ school is conducting its own investigation, but Ruth Money says that is like marking its own homework.
A man who was sexually abused by a priest at the school says he doesn’t see how the college can conduct its own internal investigation.
RNZ earlier revealed that former priest Rowan Donoghue had admitted sexually abusing four boys at the school between 1996 and 2000.
On Wednesday, RNZ revealed that another priest, former rector Fr Brian Cummings, was also accused of abuse by three different complainants in 1996, 2014 and 2023. Cummings, who died in 2022, “strenuously denied” the allegations.
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The school has confirmed to RNZ it is investigating what was known historically and how the matters were addressed. That work is being led by the current board and rector Jon McDowall.
Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money told RNZ there should be an independent investigation.
“What concerns me the most is the fact that people do not take this issue seriously, and they continue to think that they can investigate themselves.
“There should be a specialist investigation with safeguarding principles applied, not me marking my own homework.”
She said the school had “lost the trust and confidence of the community and certainly the victims and survivors.”
“There should be sexual violence experts involved to help the community through it, as well as the school through it.
“For me, as the Chief Victim Advisor to the government, I see this time and time again in education, and this is what I am worried about at a system level.
“Sexual violence is an epidemic, and we need to do whatever we can to prevent it as a community, and that’s my concern… certainly best practice is that an expert is involved. It is independently investigated, but also support for the survivors, for the ex pupils and current pupils, for the school community, that needs to be done by experts, and that is not the school’s job.”
A man who was sexually abused by Donoghue told RNZ he also believed there should be an independent investigation.
“Due to the information that has come out in the media over the last few weeks, I can’t see how either St Bedes or the Society of Mary believe they have the remit to conduct their own internal investigation.
“If they had a genuine commitment to supporting the victims, as they’ve stated in every single comment they’ve released, then I would expect nothing less than an external inquiry. I personally wouldn’t believe any of the findings from an internal investigation, and doing so would no doubt discourage other potential victims who’ve not yet come forward, from doing so”.
RNZ asked McDowall for comment on the calls for an independent investigation.
He said he understood why there were “strong views about how this should be addressed”.
“Trust in this process matters.
“I was not at the College when these matters arose and had no involvement in the decisions of that period. That allows me to approach this work independently. My highest priority is ensuring we fully understand what occurred, support those impacted, and respond appropriately.”
The college has, for many years, had established processes for responding to complaints concerning clergy at the college, McDowall said.
“Some of those matters are subject to ongoing legal proceedings, and we are therefore limited in what we can say publicly.
“It is important to me that anyone who may have been impacted feels heard and supported. I have written directly to our Old Boys and publicly extended an open invitation for any person who may have been affected to contact me personally. Concerns raised will be addressed in accordance with school policy.
“Any form of abuse and any failure to address it is simply wrong. As Rector of St Bede’s, I continue to invite anyone who is impacted by this matter, or who has concerns, to contact me directly.”
A Society of Mary spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday it had records of three complaints of sexual abuse against Cummings from three complainants.
“They were received in 1996, 2014 and in 2023; the third came after he had died. All related to his time at St Bede’s College. Cummings strenuously denied the accusations in 1996 and 2014.
“The first two complaints were investigated by police and the Society of Mary. Police took no action on either complaint. The third complaint was investigated by the Church.”
McDowall earlier told RNZ the school was aware of allegations against Cummings.
“Those allegations are working through a process and we are not able to offer any further comment at this time.”
He said he found the matters “distressing”.
“Any form of abuse is unacceptable, regardless of when it occurred or whether it involved one individual or many.
“I was not in this role at the time these matters arose. My responsibility now is to ensure we respond with clarity, care and integrity.”
He said work was under way to understand what was known historically and how those matters were addressed.
“That work is being led by the current boards and myself.
“Some historical allegations were previously subject to investigation. Where new information comes to light, we encourage it to be brought forward and addressed through the appropriate channels.
“What matters most is that anyone impacted feels supported and heard. We are committed to ensuring concerns are addressed appropriately, with care, integrity and accountability.”
He said the school today operated with “clear safeguarding expectations, strong oversight, and a culture where student well-being comes first”.
“Abuse has no place at St Bede’s – past, present or future.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand