PUBLIC STATEMENT BY DR PETER HOLLINGWORTH
DENIAL OF RAPE ALLEGATION
Earlier this year steps were taken to institute civil proceedings seeking
financial payment by a woman who has subsequently and tragically died. As part
of those proceedings, this woman alleged that I raped her in the 1960s, when she
was 19 or 20 years of age.
I did not know this woman. I did not rape her. I did not sexually assault
her. I deny absolutely that I have ever raped or in any way sexually assaulted
any person.
The incident alleged against me is said to have happened during the course of
a youth camp that it is claimed I organised and attended as camp counsellor and
coordinator in late 1965 or early 1966. It is asserted that I was then a
servant, agent or representative of the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo. It is
further alleged that I had become acquainted with this woman at a Friday night
youth group conducted by that Diocese at St John’s Church hall in North
Bendigo.
I attach to this statement a copy of an extract from the Australian
Anglican Directory, 2001. This provides a comprehensive listing of the
positions I have held within the Anglican Church of Australia. As will be
readily apparent, I have never held any position with the Diocese of Bendigo or
at St John’s Church in North Bendigo. Further, at all relevant times, I was
Chaplain of the Brotherhood of St Laurence in Melbourne (on weekdays) and Curate
of St Silas’ Church, North Balwyn (on weekends).
Not only did I not hold any of the positions alleged by the woman in
question, I did not know her. I never attended any meeting at St John’s Church
hall in North Bendigo. I never organised a youth camp for the Diocese of
Bendigo. I never attended a youth camp organised by that Diocese.
I can only assume that the claims against me must have been made as a result
of mistaken identity.
Because these allegations date back 40 years, there is currently before the
Supreme Court of Victoria an application for extension of time to enable these
civil proceedings to be instituted. It is not known at this time whether that
application will be pursued now that the woman has tragically died. If it is
pursued, I will vigorously defend myself against the allegations made against
me.
In the course of the Court proceedings to date, an order was sought by the
woman, and made by the Court, suppressing her identity and details of the case
that, if disclosed, might tend to identify her. Subsequently, the Court made
similar orders suppressing my identity until her application for extension of
time was decided. The making of those orders was not opposed by the parties. The
orders I sought were fair and appropriate because, if the application for an
extension of time failed, the allegations would have been made public but I
would have been denied the opportunity to clear my name before the Court. In
seeking those orders, I made it clear that I was doing so only until the
proceedings had reached a stage at which I was at liberty to defend myself fully
and in a public way.
At my request, the Supreme Court has today varied those suppression orders so
that I am now able to put these matters before the public. I considered that
this was now appropriate given the risk of inaccurate information being
published in relation to and because of the orders.
As the woman's application remains before the Court, and as there are still
orders in force protecting her identity and the documents lodged on her behalf,
I will not comment further on her claims.
Sexual assault and abuse of any kind is utterly abhorrent to me, and most
especially where it is perpetrated against young persons by those in a position
of trust.
I was deeply saddened to learn of the sufferings in this woman’s life and,
more recently, of her tragic death. I extend my deepest condolences to her
family.
8 May 2003
Contact: Martin Bonsey (02) 6283 3507 0418 625 241; Andrew Reynolds 0403 165
427
HOLLINGWORTH Peter John, AO 1988, OBE 1976; b 1935;
BA 1958; DipSocStud Melb 1970; MA Melb 1980; Gelt ChStJ, ChSLJ; Hon LLD Monash
1986; Hon LLD Melb 1990; Hon D Griffith 1993; Hon Dr QUT 1994; Hon LLD (UCQ)
1995; HonD Uni SQ 1999; ThL Trinity ACT 1959; D 1960, P 1961 (Melb), Cons 1985 (Melb).
C Melb Centre I St M NMelb 1960-64; Hon Chapl RCH 1961-64; Chapl BSL 1964-80; C
NBalwyn 1964-66; PTO NY 1967; C Burwood 1967-70; PiC Fitzroy 1970-72; Assoc Dir
(Soc Svces) BSL 1970-79; Exec Dir 1980-90; Can 1980-85; Bp IC 1985-90; Chair Div
CC 1988-90; Chair SRC 1992-98. Current: Dio Brisb: Abp Brisb 1990. Address:
GPO Box 421, Brisbane Qld 4001. Tel: (07) 3268 2706 (h), (07) 3835
2222 (o) Fax: (07) 3268 5636 (h), (07) 3832 5030 (o) Email: relliott@anglicanbrisbane.org.au
Web: www.anglican.org.au/brisbane. Spouse: Ann.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
