Former St Bede’s College staffer in court over historic sexual allegations involving students

The man was released on bail to appear in court via audiovisual link on March 10.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons said the alleged attacker targeted boarders.

“We know that reporting or talking about such incidents can be incredibly difficult and upsetting at times, but we want to reassure victims of sexual crime that we take these matters seriously.”

Investigations are continuing into other crimes that have not yet been reported to the police.

“Police are contacting students who have boarded at the school during the specified period.”

Simmons said investigators will work to ensure potential victims “have a safe space to report crimes confidentially.”

St Bede’s College, Papanui, is an integrated all-boys Roman Catholic day and boarding school in Christchurch.

“We recognize and accept that historical sexual abuse may have occurred at St Bede’s College,” the school said in a statement.

Rebecca Methven, chair of trustees at St Bede’s College, said the school had established a “Historical Sexual Abuse Reporting Policy”.

“We would like to emphasize once again that abuse of any kind is absolutely unacceptable and has no place at our university, neither in the past nor today.

“We encourage any of our former students to review this policy and contact us to see if it applies.”

A spokesman for the Catholic Church’s National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS) said the church would co-operate with police if assistance is requested.

“The Catholic Church encourages anyone with concerns or complaints to report them to the police or the National Professional Standards Office.

“As this matter is currently in the courts, it is not appropriate to comment.”

Survivors can contact Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons at Christchurch Central Police Station or make a report online by referring to case number 230122/3143.