Dilworth School: another arrest after landmark sex crime investigation

Police investigating alleged historical sex crimes at the Dilworth School made an additional arrest today.

A 60-year-old man was charged with rape, attempted rape, indecency and indecent assault.

Detective Sergeant Geoff Baber said police have continued to receive dozens of calls since yesterday.

“Over the past 24 hours, the Operation Beverly team has received more than 50 calls and emails from members of the public.”

Baber said the police are now evaluating this information and will do follow-up investigations on any relevant matters.

“Police recognize that it can be difficult for victims to come forward. We respect the courage of those who have contacted us.”

“We continue to encourage anyone who may have information that may assist our investigation to come forward.”

When contacted for comment, a Dilworth School spokeswoman said she was not aware of today’s arrest.

Yesterday, police announced that six men, all between the ages of 60 and 70, had been charged in connection with an alleged sex crime.

The men appeared in Auckland District Court and were granted name suppression.

They are expected to appear again in the same court in early October.

When the news broke yesterday, the school management held a press conference to publicly address the situation.

Principal Dan Reddiex, who was appointed last year, said that “naturally as a parent, educator and human being,” he found the allegations “egregious” and “deeply saddened.”

“I can’t understand the trauma or pain that those who suffered the abuse must have endured,” Reddiex said.

“And we are very sorry for this pain. So I want to be absolutely clear, the Dilworth School that I know and lead today has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind.

“The health, safety, and well-being of our students is our top priority and responsibility.

“We know that a safe environment is essential for our students to prosper both personally and academically.”

Dilworth Trust Board Chairman Aaron Snodgrass said the school had taken a leadership role in improving processes around alleged abuse at the same time that the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care was established in New Zealand in 2018.

Last year, Snodgrass wrote to all older children and parents apologizing for the historic abuse and said it also described what was being done to provide a safer school environment.

“We established a free and confidential listening service for the elderly if they want to talk about their experiences with an independent clinical psychologist.”

The Board had actively sought to have any removal of the Dilworth School name waived in connection with the court proceedings because they wanted to be able to openly discuss their response with the school community, he said.