St Peter's School in Cambridge has revealed details of child sexual abuse at the college and apologised to former students for cases stretching back decades.
School board chairman John Macaskill-Smith described child abuse as a "detestable betrayal of trust".
"On behalf of the St Peter's School Trust Board, today I want to acknowledge and apologise for historical cases of sexual, physical and emotional abuse against former students at our school by former staff members or anyone acting in that capacity," he said.
"Child abuse is a detestable betrayal of trust, the consequences of which can have lasting effects throughout an individual's lifetime. For these historical cases of abuse, our trustees offer a sincere and heartfelt apology.
"Today we have communicated directly to all alumni to say we are sorry to all former students who suffered abuse while in our care, and for the failure of St Peter's to protect them from such abuse occurring. Current students, staff and parents were also included in this communication."
Between 1936 and 1981, Macaskill-Smith told Newstalk ZB, there were 19 "individual notifications" relating to eight former staff members.
School board chairman John Macaskill-Smith said the school could not "erase its history". Photo / Mike Scott
"It was any form of abuse whether that be sexual, emotional or physical abuse that had occurred during that time and had been notified and documented in school files."
Macaskill-Smith said a number of people involved are now dead, but a number have spent time in jail for "these kinds of abuses".
Macaskill-Smith said the school began researching in 2018 all notifications of abuse documented since records began in the 1930s.
"No matter what came to light, trustees were committed to facing up to the truth and taking steps toward putting things right," Macaskill-Smith said.
The following year clinical and forensic psychologist Dr Suzanne Blackwell was asked to review all the information that had been gathered and how it had been handled.
Macaskill-Smith said nothing could be done to "erase history" but the school wants to help victims suffering from the effects of past abuse.
"For many of those former students, the school's acknowledgement of abuse and apology comes many decades too late. But I want to speak directly to those individuals today: when you come forward be certain that you will be heard, you will be respected, and you will be cared for with compassion."
The school had set up a confidential listening service for former students so they could discuss getting help and talk to clinical psychologists in privacy.
As a parent himself, Macaskill-Smith said he needs "assurance" his children will be safe while at school.
"We've tried to build a culture of 'it's okay to talk about these things' with either staff or students," he said.
The apology comes two years after Auckland's Dilworth School first apologised to abuse victims and announced proactive steps to address the abuse.
This year, just over 100 charges had been laid against 11 men in relation to some of the historic offending.
In June, Detective Senior Sergeant Geoff Baber said 103 charges have been laid in relation to 56 of 122 former students who have come forward with allegations of abuse.
One of the men was the school's former chaplain, Ross Browne, who faced seven charges.
In October, Browne pleaded guilty to 13 indecent assault charges and will be sentenced on December 2.
- RNZ
Where to get help If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111. If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7: • Call 0800 044 334 • Text 4334 • Email support@safetotalk.nz • For more info or to web chat visit safetotalk.nz • Male Survivors Aotearoa offers a range of confidential support at centres across New Zealand - find your closest one here. • Mosaic - Tiaki Tangata: 0800 94 22 94 (available 11am-8pm) • Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list. If you have been abused, remember it's not your fault.
