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PM: Labour failed camp attendees, suspends all youth events

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Wed, 14 Mar 2018, 1:49PM

PM: Labour failed camp attendees, suspends all youth events

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Wed, 14 Mar 2018, 1:49PM

The Labour Party is suspending all Young Labour events in the wake of a police investigation into sexually assaults at the Waihi summer camp.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and party president Nigel Haworth have just announced the suspension - and conceded Labour had failed to provide a safe environment for camp attendees.

"As a result of the incidents at the Waihi Summer Camp we have taken the decision to immediately suspend all Young Labour events," Haworth said.

"We need to take the time to properly review issues around how best to create the safest possible environment at all our events."

READ MORE:
Police confirm investigatio camp sexual assault claims

Police confirmed this morning they are now investigating claims of sexual assaults at the camp last month.

It is alleged a 20-year-old man sexually assaulted four teenagers, all aged 16, including putting his hands down the pants of at least three of them at the Young Labour summer camp in Waihi last month.

Haworth also announced that alcohol will not be allowed at any future events where there are people under 18 present. He said an independent review alongside the Sexual Abuse Prevention Network would take place to ensure the safest possible environment in future.

"As a result of the incidents at the Waihi Summer Camp we have taken the decision to immediately suspend all Young Labour events," said Haworth.

"We need to take the time to properly review issues around how best to create the safest possible environment at all our events.

READ MORE:
Kirton maintains Labour was right to not tell parents about youth camp assaults

Second assault allegation linked to Labour youth camp

Haworth said that Labour general secretary Andrew Kirton will be making contact with all attendees at the Waihi Summer Camp to apologise - and offer any support they need.

Haworth apologised for putting "too heavy a responsibility on our Young Labour leaders to deal with the aftermath of these incidents".

"I apologise for that. We need to support them too."

Ardern said the party had failed the young people who reported the sexual misconduct, and apologised.

"It has become very clear to me the extent of our failure to both provide a safe environment for those young people at the Waihi Summer Camp and to properly deal with serious concerns raised by several attendees in relation to sexual misconduct and alcohol.

"We failed the young people who told us they had been hurt – this failure left them feeling abandoned and I am deeply sorry for that. It's not good enough, we let them down."

Ardern said she could not comment on specifics because of the complaint that has now been laid with police.

"But I want to reiterate that we did not do the right thing fast enough in dealing with these incidents.

"Our young party members are our future. They work hard for our cause and we must ensure they can do so in a safe and supportive environment."

Haworth said a "comprehensive external review will be undertaken by a respected independent person shortly working alongside the Sexual Abuse Prevention Network. This will review our policies and procedures in relation to these events including those by Labour's sector groups, and also Waihi.

"The external expert will also be available for anyone who wishes to raise issues in relation to previous events."

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