Warning: This story contains details that may be upsetting to some readers.
A former Dilworth student who spearheaded a class action against the school says nothing will change until the chairman of the school board fronts the media.
On Monday, the 503 independent review into the abuse at Dilworth School in Auckland was released, laying bare the horrendous acts that took place between the 1950s and 2005.
Among a raft of findings, the review found the Dilworth School board knew about the abuse and said it failed to investigate complaints properly and didn't report the majority of complaints to police.
It also allowed offenders to leave the school with glowing references in some cases. The report states sexual abuse was "committed consistently" at Dilworth from the 1950s to 2005.
Investigators said 175 former students "reported being sexually abused" but the report said the real number could be higher.
Eleven people are in jail over the historic sexual offending at the school, and the review made 19 recommendations - which Dilworth said it's reviewing.
On Tuesday, former Dilworth student Neil Harding - who spearheaded the class action against the school - told AM the report is "very comprehensive" and "it resonated".
"We've got 500 pages of carnage," he said.
"It was vindicating... finally we have some truth and it's different to what the Dilworth narrative has been over the decades."
On Monday, among other media, Newshub made requests to interview Dilworth leaders but they declined. On Tuesday AM, asked for an interview and Dilworth declined again.
Harding said "I have no faith" in Dilworth and was frustrated its leaders failed to speak to the media.
"The fact that Dilworth never fronted the media yesterday, giving a pre-written statement. They've had 50 years to get ready for yesterday."
He said until the board chairman fronts and answers questions, he fears "nothing will change".
Harding said the report marks "the end of the beginning" for his journey.
"It's been five and a half years to get to this point and there's a lot of work to go."
He said now he and other Dilworth boys face the process of redress and said, "something needs to happen and needs to happen quickly".
Former Dilworth pupil Steve Gray was warned of the horrific abuse that was taking place at the school when he first started at Dilworth.
Gray told AM the behavior of school staff was common knowledge around the school "and it always had been".
"The worst thing is I thought when I left that they'd started sorting it out and it just got worse. It actually multiplied and doubled and tripled what was going on with the abuse."
When Gray was 13 years old, he told Dilworth himself about the concerns he had, but said he was threatened with legal action.
He described Dilworth as a "hellhole for decade after decade".
"As the report showed so clearly, it was not just sexual abuse, it was physical abuse, it was bullying, mental torture."
In a statement, Dilworth chairman Aaron Snodgrass said the report is unsparingly honest about the school’s historical failures to protect students.
"The accounts of abuse endured by some former students, and the effect it has had on their lives, are heart breaking."
He said the report will help the school to learn from past mistakes, adding the board apologises to all those who suffered abuse while students at Dilworth and their families.
Snodgrass said the report makes abundantly clear that it was not the students' fault - it was their school that failed to protect them and for that "we are truly sorry".
"The board will now carefully consider the findings and recommendations in the report to identify the steps Dilworth needs to take."
If you have witnessed or experienced sexual harassment or assault and would like to speak to someone, you could call the HELP support service.
- Auckland: (09) 623 1700 or visit helpauckland.org.nz
- Wellington: (04) 801 6655 or visit wellingtonhelp.org.nz
Where to find help and support:
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
Watch the video above for more.
