19 Oct 2022

Rugby star reveals he is an abuse survivor

4:30 pm on 19 October 2022

The Methodist Church of New Zealand and Wesley College representatives have apologised to abuse survivors at the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry's Faith-Based Institutional Response public hearing.

Rugby star Sekope Kepu represented Wesley College's Tongan community, which is working on changing the bullying culture of the school.

The Wesley College old boy, who played over 100 tests for the Wallabies and captains the new Moana Pasifika team, said there is no place for abuse in any school.

At the hearing he revealed he himself as an abuse survivor.

Wesley College

Photo: Facebook/ Wesley College Old Students Association

He said at the talanoa the church and school expressed a willingness to do whatever it takes to stamp out abuse that he said had gone on for 60 years:

"Everyone acknowledged the survivors and really felt for them, showed sympathy for the trauma they encountered. The bottom line was everyone acknowledged that and wrapped their arms around them for everything that they have gone through,." Sekope said.