Dilworth is committed to fully confronting the sexual and other abuse that occurred at our School, openly and honestly.
As part of our response, the Dilworth Trust Board (the Board) commissioned an Independent Inquiry to establish an understanding of the causes, nature and extent of the abuse experienced by former students at Dilworth School, the School’s response to complaints of abuse at the time, and the adequacy of the policies and procedures in place at the School today.
The Independent Inquiry Report was published on 18 September 2023 and can be accessed here.
The Dilworth Trust Board has accepted and is acting on all nineteen recommendations of the Independent Inquiry Report. An Implementation Dashboard is available to track Dilworth’s progress against each recommendation.
Separately, the Board also established an independent Redress Programme for any former Dilworth student subjected to sexual abuse or serious physical abuse committed by a Dilworth representative, or a person who had access to the former student through a Dilworth representative. It is also available to any former student who was sexually abused by another student. The estate of a deceased former student who was abused can also apply for redress. The Redress Programme Panel commenced issuing determinations in March 2024.
The Government has recently granted the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care a further extension for delivery of its final report. You can read more here.
Support is available to all former students who were abused at Dilworth through the following pathways:
For all former Dilworth students who want to access fully funded professional psychological therapy or support.
Email: [email protected]
To support former students who experienced sexual abuse or serious physical abuse by a Dilworth Representative through various types of redress including financial awards, access to fully funded therapy and psychological support, an apology, and other forms of personalised redress.
Visit: www.dilworthredress.org.nz
The following options are available for former students, their families/whānau and families of deceased former students who are not eligible for redress under the Terms of the Dilworth Redress Programme.
Email: [email protected]
Former students who were abused are encouraged to follow the work of the Royal Commission of Inquiry Into Abuse in Care in State and Faith based Institutions and consider making a claim under any resulting government scheme.