MEDIA RELEASE
26 September 2011
Camp sexual assault on children could have been avoided
Last week the public heard about an Eastern Bay of Plenty camp where eight schoolgirls were sexually assaulted by Mathew Everson, a convicted rapist who worked at the camp. Justice Lang permanently suppressed the name of the school and the venue of the camp and was said to have stated that he was satisfied the camp wasn't to blame because its staff were unaware of Everson's past.
Amanda Meynell, spokesperson for Child Matters, New Zealand’s child abuse prevention organisation said “This situation could have been avoided if appropriate checks had been undertaken into Mr Everson’s past. Mr Everson is absolutely responsible for his actions and the significant harm caused to these children and their families. However, the camp is also responsible for ensuring anyone they employ is safe to be around children.”
This situation will have had a significant negative impact on these children, their families and many others. When terrible situations like this take place, parents no doubt start to question the safety of allowing their children to go to camps and enjoy other experiences that can help children to grow their confidence, self esteem and independence.
“Every organisation that deals with children has a responsibility to keep children safe. If an organisation employs people (paid or not) they are responsible for doing all necessary checks to ensure those people are safe to be around children. This camp appeared not to have done this effectively.” Says Mrs Meynell
Mrs Meynell continues “Carrying out Police checks alone will not identify all sexual offenders. Often those who have committed sexual offences against children will not have been convicted. Also, sexual offenders of children often appear very helpful, friendly and charming. They use these attributes to gain the trust of children, their families and other professionals. It is therefore absolutely necessary to make sure that thorough background checks are carried out. The safety of children must be of paramount consideration at all times.”
Ensuring that organisations recruit childsafe people is only one part of keeping children safe in an organisation. Equally important are ensuring the organisation has childsafe practices and conducts childsafe training. Child Matters has just released an online tool, the Childsafe Guide, which provides a step by step process for developing childsafe people, practices and training for organisations working with children. This resource puts organisations firmly in control of making sure they keep children safe.
Child Matters’ Childsafe Guide can be found at www.childsafeguide.org.nz or via the Child Matters website.
-ENDS-
Media Contacts:
Amanda Meynell Rachel McGuire
Academic Services Manager PR and Communications Adviser
Child Matters Child Matters
07 838 3370 07 838 3370
027 444 7544
About Child Matters:
· Child Matters is the only organisation in New Zealand solely focused on child abuse prevention.
· It works to prevent child abuse by 1) speaking up for New Zealand children; and 2) educating adults to identify child abuse and take the appropriate action.
· Child Matters is a catalyst in communities, working to connect organisations and build leaders who are making positive impacts on child abuse prevention.
· Child Matters is an independent charitable trust with a cross sector view and influence around child abuse in New Zealand. It has links to all organisations who work with children and enables them to tackle the issue of child abuse in their local communities.
· Every adult in New Zealand is affected in some way by child abuse and, therefore, Child Matters believes every adult has a role to play in protecting children. Its child abuse prevention educational programmes are a powerful solution.
· Child Matters believes child abuse prevention education must be made compulsory for all key organisations working with children.
· Child Matters works with a range of organisations to educate their staff to identify child abuse and take the appropriate action. It encourages organisations to adopt a child abuse prevention education and staff wellness programme to demonstrate they take child abuse prevention seriously.
· Child Matters operates nationally.
· For more information, visit: www.childmatters.org.nz