Failing to Take Action Directly Leadings to the Harm of Another Child
St Bede's College was informed of allegations against Friar Rowan Donoghue, recently convicted of historical abuse, by an anonymous complainant in the mid-2000s.
Source: RNZ
This article hits home in more that one way, I was born in Christchurch
Someone we all know was a student at St Bede’s. That person was proud of their Javelin throwing skills…this article raises questions around institutional responsibility and the weight a child carries.
On Wednesday, a suppression order was lifted allowing RNZ to reveal Fr Donoghue had pleaded guilty to six charges including indecent assault on a boy aged 12-16, indecent assault on a boy 16 and over and sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection. The offending related to four boys.*
St Bede’s College was told nearly 20 years ago of allegations The rector says if there was inaction regarding the allegations it would be “appalling”. RNZ earlier revealed Friar Rowan Donoghue had admitted six charges including indecent assault on a boy aged 12-16, indecent assault on a boy 16 and over and sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.
This institutional failure is exactly why Project Hannah and Maia Ataahua exist.
Project Hannah is about Policy Change
Project Hannah is the blueprint for the legal and policy shifts required to ensure no child is left with a “bad person.” We must stop the trade of responsibility between agencies. The fact that Donoghue’s actions were known twenty years ago, yet he was only recently convicted, is evidence of ‘it not our fault’ and the deliberate blindness. This silence protects the predator and seconds the child.
>Since then, RNZ has revealed that Fr Donoghue admitted sexual abuse to leaders of his religious order, the Society of Mary, in 2007. However, he was unable to identify the anonymous complainant and [instead of notifying police](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/586322/man-sexually-abused-by-priest-appalled-police-weren-t-notified-by-church), the order sent him to Australia for a six month-programme that provided “professional risk assessment and therapy” for people accused of sexual abuse.
Project Hannah is also about retribution and the no fault systems we have in place are adding to the burden of reclaiming your identity and mana. There are no pathways to justice. ACC is not built for this, it thinks it is but a few free councglsing sessions and a few bucks is an insult to the life we are submitted too. Sexual Assault is Spiritual Murder. Your wounds are hidden and you are a walking corpse. The consequences for rape are not strong enough because the crime is not valued.
We are punished if we do not comply and we are punished if we survive and we are punished if we speak up.
RNZ has spoken to two of the victims about the life-long impact of Fr Donoghue’s offending, how they feel it was “normalised” and why they believe there are others.
“I don’t believe that there’s only four,” Stephen* says.*
“I certainly believe there are others out there.”*
Michael says he wants to know whether St Bede’s knew of the allegations about Fr Donoghue earlier, and if so, what action was taken.
He says he loves St Bede’s, but believes the school should apologise to the victims.
“I want something out of them. I want a sorry, or I want a compensation. I want them to say ‘we’re sorry’.”*
Maia Ātaahua is about Restoring you Crown
The purpose of Maia Ataahua is the restoring of Self Love, Pride and Mana and highlighting that Survival is Brave and Brave is Beautify. The courage required to take up space after decades of wearing the dirt someone else covered you in is the reclamation of your name, your body, and your identity. I
n the words of the survivor Stephen*:
“I stopped caring about myself. I felt like I lost my mana… it’s so hard keeping it a secret but then it was also like this internal cry for help but not being able to ask anyone or having an avenue to speak to someone and actually getting it out.”*
The Reckoning:
- The Silence: an anonymous complainant raised the alarm in the mid-2000s, nearly twenty years ago.
- The Failure: St. Bede’s College was notified of these allegations, yet the cycle of harm was permitted to breathe by knowingly placing children in is reach.
- The Truth: Friar Rowan Donoghue has only now been convicted, proving that the “secret” was always a crime and the institutional polish was always a lie.
We have a duty to close the gaps. Within these gaps are screams for help and to carry on with the status quo is unacceptable.
Who Enabled and Encouraged this Bad Person and who will be hold their feet to the fire?
We will, because we are Audacious.
To Michael* and Sephen* thank you for taking up space. Your voice restores the Permission, Joy, Audacity and Love for others. We sit with you and reading your retellings hits close to my own personal story. I understand.
Both of you are the Body of Evidence and the Evidence of Body and have right to live your whole lives, brightly in full view of Joy so that it may find out and bless you.
Go live your whole life.
I’m so proud of you.
ZoZo
Support Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available. You are not alone.
* **Women’s Refuge**: 0800 733 843 - 24/7 crisis line for women and children experiencing domestic violence
* **1737**: 1737 - Free call or text 24/7 for mental health support
* **Shine**: 0508 744 633 - Domestic abuse helpline (9am-11pm daily)
* **Oranga Tamariki**: 0508 326 459 - Report concerns about a child’s safety
* **Safe to Talk**: 0800 044 334 - 24/7 support for sexual harm - call, text 4334, or online chat
* **Victim Support**: 0800 842 846 - 24/7 support for victims of crime and trauma
* **Are You OK**: 0800 456 450 - Family violence information line
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