In 2021, the Board announced it would commission an Independent Inquiry, which will seek to provide an understanding of the nature and extent of abuse at Dilworth School, the School’s response to complaints of abuse at the time, including the adequacy of actions taken, and the factors that caused or contributed to the abuse occurring. The Independent Inquiry may also provide recommendations to further enhance the School’s best practice child safety and wellbeing framework and procedures.
From 1 July 2022, Old Boys, others affected by abuse and the wider Dilworth community can register to participate in the Independent Inquiry via a dedicated website run by the Independent Inquiry secretariat. This website is fully independent of Dilworth.
The Hon. Dame Silvia Cartwright ONZ PCNZM DBE QSO DStJ will lead the Dilworth Inquiry as Inquiry Chair. Dame Silvia is joined by Frances Joychild QC as Co-Inquirer.
The Terms of Reference for the Independent Inquiry have been finalised by Dame Silvia and Ms Joychild, following completion of an extensive feedback process by the Board on the proposed terms involving Old Boy survivors, others affected by abuse and the wider Dilworth community. Legal representatives of survivors have also contributed to the Terms of Reference.
The Inquirers will decide how the Inquiry will be undertaken and the content of the final report to be made public, with the privacy of Old Boy survivors paramount.
Old Boy survivors and their families, Old Boys, present and former Board Trustees, Headmasters, volunteers and staff members will all be encouraged and supported to participate in the Independent Inquiry.
The Independent Inquiry will be undertaken separately to, but will run concurrently with, the Redress Programme.
Date
Activity
15 March 2022 – 13 April 2022
Feedback received from all Old Boy survivors, others affected by abuse and the wider Dilworth community on the proposed Independent Inquiry
1 July 2022 onwards
Old Boy survivors, others affected by abuse and the wider Dilworth community can register to participate in the Inquiry
Between 31 May 2023 and 31 August 2023
Anticipated delivery of the Independent Inquiry into Abuse at Dilworth School Report to the Dilworth Trust Board and those who participate in the Inquiry. The final report will be made publicly available, in a manner that protects the privacy of Old Boy survivors along with any redactions, as recommended by the Inquiry Chair. A copy of the report will also be provided to all those who participate in the Inquiry.