A refugee to Aotearoa says her life was destroyed by a fellow refugee from a different country who began sexually abusing her when she was just 14 at the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre. 

The woman, now in her 20s, told the Herald his offending had caused her deep and lasting trauma. 

“This was one of the hardest and most painful experiences of my life. 

“However, I speak today to encourage other girls and women not to stay silent. I know how frightening it is to come forward, but we do have rights regardless of religion, culture, or background.” 

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) told the Herald it deeply regretted the centre’s inability to protect a vulnerable person in its care. 

The agency said when a refugee is convicted of serious offending, INZ undertakes an assessment of their liability for deportation. 

Syrian refugee Ahmad Al Hoean, 34, was jailed for more than 10 years when he appeared for sentencing on Friday after being found guilty by a jury on 16 charges related to sexual offending. 

These included two counts of rape and multiple charges for indecent communication and sexual connection with a young person. 

The woman’s message to other survivors was that they were not alone, nor were they to blame. 

“Your voice matters. You deserve to be heard, protected, and respected.” 

The Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre. Photo / Doug Sherring 

In her victim impact statement, read in the Manukau District Court by prosecutor Charlie Piho, she said the abuse began when she had just arrived in New Zealand and resulted in her losing her virginity in a “savage way”. 

“It is one of the most important things in my religion, it is sacred,” she said in the statement. 

She wrote that depression and fear became her “best friends” and she suffered academically. 

“[It] turned me into a totally different person than I was, Ahmad hurt me in every way. 

“Ahmad destroyed my life, he never cared that I was a girl.” 

Judge David McNaughton told the court a summary of the offending said it began when Al Hoean was 28 and victim was 14. 

Both were staying at the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre with their families. 

Judge McNaughton said the offending there occurred in a bathroom. 

Al Hoean also sent the girl pornographic material. 

Convicted sex offender Ahmad Al Hoean. Photo / Supplied 

After leaving the refugee facility, Al Hoean and complainant moved to different towns, but were within driving distance. 

The offending continued and it included Al Hoean playing violent pornographic videos and pressuring the teenage girl to have sex, which she refused. 

He later raped her on two occasions. 

“She was bleeding and crying,” the summary said. 

Judge McNaughton said Al Hoean continued to deny the offending or that he knew she was 14. 

“The jury rejected your explanations, and so do I.” 

He told the court Al Hoean’s probation officer said: “At no time did you show any remorse for your offending or any empathy for your victim.” 

Judge McNaughton said there were multiple aggravating factors to Al Hoean’s offending. 

“The way that you groomed her, breach of trust, some of the planning that was involved here, obviously a vulnerable victim. Physical and emotional harm, which progressed to more and more serious offending over a period of two years.” 

As well as this, Al Hoaen exposed the girl to “violent and extreme” pornography and painful rape. 

Judge McNaughton gave the man a sentence starting point of 11 years in prison. 

No discounts for remorse or a guilty plea were provided. And despite having no prior convictions, no good character discounts were applied given Al Hoaen’s “callous disregard for the complainant’s welfare”. 

The judge said the only sentence credit he could grant was a six-month reduction for the alcohol, gambling and drug prevention courses Al Hoaen had completed. 

Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre was approached for comment, but the facility referred the Herald to INZ. 

INZ refugee and migrant services general manager Fiona Whiteridge said the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre was designed to provide a secure and supportive environment for people beginning their new lives in New Zealand. 

“I deeply regret that this was not sufficient to protect a vulnerable young person in our care.” 

Whiteridge said Al Hoean stayed at the facility for nearly three months several years ago. 

“The harm caused by the sexual offending perpetrated by Mr Al Hoean on another refugee during their time at the centre was not reported to Immigration New Zealand. 

“We deeply regret that we were not made aware earlier, as this meant we could not provide support to the affected individual when it was most needed.” 

She said INZ only became aware when contacted by police, and since then the agency had been working closely with them. 

“Before arrival, all quota refugees undergo comprehensive security and health screening in partnership with international agencies. 

“This process includes identity verification, background checks, and medical assessments to help ensure community safety and individual wellbeing.” 

She said INZ was committed to protecting vulnerable individuals and regularly reviewed its practices to provide as safe an environment as possible for refugees. 

“We will of course look to see if any more could have been done to protect the young person.” 

Whiteridge said recognised refugees may only be deported in very limited circumstances. 

“When a recognised refugee is convicted of serious offending, INZ undertakes an assessment of their liability for deportation under the Immigration Act. 

“If a recognised refugee is found to be liable for deportation, the case is referred to INZ’s Refugee Status Unit.” 

Associate Immigration Minister Casey Costello is overseas and unavailable. 

The offending took place prior to her appointment. 

Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers issues including sexual assault, workplace misconduct, media, crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2020.