Witnesses for faith-based institutions will continue giving evidence before the Abuse in Care of Inquiry today on their processes for resolving historic and current abuse claims.

The faith-based institution witnesses - which include representatives from the highest levels within New Zealand’s Salvation Army, and Anglican and Catholic Churches - will be responding to survivors’ evidence and outlining past and current Redress policies and processes. 

Thursday 25 March 

9.30am

Virginia Noonan (continued)

Virginia Noonan is the Director of the National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS). NOPS responds to complaints of sexual abuse involving clergy and members of religious congregations and oversees the Catholic Church’s safeguarding policies and practices in New Zealand. Virginia was appointed Director in 2018 and between May 2017 and January 2018 was appointed by the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch as their Safeguarding Coordinator. Her evidence outlines how NOPS operationalises the safeguarding and harm-prevention programmes and offers reflections on the survivor evidence given at the Faith-based Redress Hearing.

11.30am approx.

Fr Timothy Duckworth  

Fr Timothy Duckworth is the Provincial of the New Zealand province of the Society of Mary (often known as the Marist Fathers and Brothers) and has been in the role since the 1st of February 2020. He has been a priest for 38 years and has served in a variety of ministries and apostolates including teaching. His evidence outlines the Society of Mary’s approach to redress, in particular the Society’s Sexual Abuse Protocol Committee and their current approach to redress under A Path to Healing.  

The hearing is being live-streamed here.

Hearing location: Level 2, 414 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland 1023 (entrance from Kingdon st).

Media enquiries: 027 298 2094; media@abuseincare.org.nz

About the Abuse in Care Inquiry

The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry is investigating the abuse and neglect that happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in care from 1950 and 1999. It will also consider experiences of abuse or neglect before outside these dates. After completing its investigations, it will make recommendations to the Governor General on how New Zealand can better care for children, young people and vulnerable adults.