One survivor of sexual abuse in childhood is spearheading a class action against Auckland’s Dilworth School—the wealthiest school in New Zealand. Neil Harding, along with an undisclosed claimant, asserts that the school knew that young boys were being sexually abused by teachers and staff as early as the 1970s. The case is being funded by LPF Group—the leading New Zealand litigation funder.
An LFJ Conversation with Jonathan Stroud
One survivor of sexual abuse in childhood is spearheading a class action against Auckland’s Dilworth School—the wealthiest school in New Zealand. Neil Harding, along with an undisclosed claimant, asserts that the school knew that young boys were being sexually abused by teachers and staff as early as the 1970s. The case is being funded by LPF Group—the leading New Zealand litigation funder.
TV NZ 1 News reports that instead of protecting students, the school opted to punish those who complained. Some abusers were moved to other postings, but Dilworth often filed suppression orders in the event that a former employee was convicted of abuse.
In addition to the class action against the school, eleven men have been charged with sexual offenses against students. At least 100 former students have reported past sexual abuse by school staffers to police. So far, only one of the abusers has been sentenced. Assistant Principal Ian Wilson was given a sentence of fewer than four years.
Harding is adamant that it’s not just the abusers who are at fault. He maintains that the Dilworth School failed these students by perpetuating a cycle of ongoing abuse. Others who have been impacted by Dilworth’s actions can confidentially file their interest. Because the case is being funded by LPF Group, there is no upfront cost to claimants.
Not surprisingly, Dilworth trustees declined to comment.
