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A Blenheim priest who has admitted an indecent assault has surprised the head of a sexual-abuse charity.
In Blenheim, New Zealand, last Tuesday, Father Aidan Kay pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent assault on a male over 16.
“It is very unusual, especially from a priest. I was very surprised,” says Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse national manager Ken Clearwater.
“I have dealt with several cases of clerical abuse. This is the first [priest] to acknowledge what he has done at the first opportunity.”
“I take my hat off to him, he has behaved in a respectful way. It has saved the victim having to go through a horrendous court trial.”
The Marlborough Express reported that the offence was at the lower end of the scale.
“It is a simple fact it was a violation from a clergyman in a position of power. There is no lower end of the scale,” Clearwater said.
Defence lawyer Rob Harrison asked the conviction not be entered so Kay could go through a restorative justice programme. This would involve a meeting between the offender and victim to work out a way forward.
“Restorative justice should be survivor-driven,” says Clearwater.
“If a victim is religious, the person will be brought up to forgive. A real restorative justice process is an understanding of the process.”
Police have criticised the Catholic Church after it named a Blenheim priest publicly before he appeared in court
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