SPCS

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS INC.

Parole Board postpones hearing on sex offender – former school principal

by Leave a Comment

A former school principal imprisoned in 2010 for more than eight years for sexually abusing students could be released as early as August.

Elvis Dobson Shepherd, 52, was found guilty on two counts of sexual violation by oral sexual connection and two counts of indecent assault while he was teaching and living at Hato Petera College, a Maori Catholic boarding school on Auckland’s North Shore, in the early 1990s.

At the time of his sentencing in 2010, Shepherd was principal of Feilding’s Hato Paora College and was promoted to the position despite warnings from Hato Petera.

He was also charged with sexual abuse against Hato Paora students, but two separate juries could not reach verdicts in relation to some of the charges while he was found not guilty of others.

When sentenced Shepherd’s continued lack of remorse and denial of the proven charges was noted.

In a parole decision released to The Dominion Post,  the board noted there were still “question marks” over Shepherd’s insight into his offending.

“For example, the psychologist referred to his limited empathy for the welfare of the victims and an overemphasis on meeting his own needs, which were said to have been likely to have precipitated the offending.”

A psychological assessment report put Shepherd’s overall risk at medium low, with reference made to a lack of capacity for relationship stability, and deviant sexual preferences.

But a comprehensive proposal put forward by Shepherd and his whanau, which involved him completing the SAFE Programme for sexual offenders while in the community had merit, it said.

However, the address put forward for Shepherd to reside at had not been put to probation for consideration so could not be considered.

The Parole Board postponed its hearing until August 1 so Shepherd’s whanau could organise a hui with probation, the SAFE network and other interested parties so discussion could take place about the release proposal and his acceptance of the offending.

Source:

Parole Board highlights abuser ‘question marks’

The Dominion Post. Tuesday May 21, 2013, p. A4. Story by Shane Cowlishaw

Online version

Fairfax NZ News

Earlier stories:

Jail for sex-abusing ex-Principal. By Bronwyn Torrie.  16/09/2010

Former Hato Paora principal Elvis Dobson Shepherd has been imprisoned for more than eight years for sexually abusing students at an Auckland school, yet he is still proclaiming his innocence.

The 49-year-old’s continued lack of remorse and denial of the proven charges was noted by Justice Robert Dobson in the High Court at Palmerston North yesterday.

Earlier this year, a jury found Shepherd guilty on two counts of sexual violation by oral sexual connection and two counts of indecent assault…

Justice Dobson said while Shepherd still denied the victims’ version of events, he accepted the essence of their evidence.

“I have to hold you accountable for the harm you have done to your victims and to the community.”…

The 49-year-old was sentenced to eight years and four months’ imprisonment in the High Court at Palmerston North yesterday for sexually abusing two teenage boys in the early 1990s.

His offending occurred while he was a teacher and dorm master at Hato Petera.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/4135298/Jail-for-sex-abusing-ex-principal

SAFE: “Political advocacy advertising” by a registered charity – lobby group

by Leave a Comment

SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation Incorporated), a registered charity (CC40428), funded an expensive “political advocacy advertising” “campaign” on Television Four during 2012/13 – aimed at changing New Zealand law to bring an end to factory farming of pigs and chickens. The slick emotive propaganda depicting scenes of emaciated and crowded caged farm animals, screened at 7.35 p.m. during “a family orientated movie”. Towards the end a SAFE logo appears along with the words: ”imagine a world without factory farming” pointing viewers to the website “www.stopfactoryfarming.org.nz” (run by SAFE campaign director Eliot Pryor and featuring a promo by SAFE director Hans Kriek). The song “Somewhere” was played in the background as a piglet was shown sprouting wings and escaping from the crate. (Mr Pryor was part of the ground crew coordinating the blockade of Mainland Poultry by SAFE and other animal “rights” activist groups in June 2012).

See: https://www.spcs.org.nz/2012/safe-save-animals-from-exploitation-a-registered-charity-its-political-advocacy/

https://www.spcs.org.nz/2012/safe-save-animals-from-exploitation-a-registered-charity-demands-ban-on-rodeo-animal-abuse-industry/

In response to a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) by M. Burton, who described the SAFE advertisement as “appalling”, “emotive” and using “ cynical shock tactics” to influence vulnerable children, the ASA Board ruled (Decision 13/051) that the “images shown in the advertisement were emotive and may be distressing to some viewers”. Whilst it ruled that the advert did not exceed the limits of GXC classification guidelines, it noted that the Commercial Approval Bureau on behalf of Media classified it as “political advocacy advertising”.

The charity SAFE has only two “objects” in its Constitution and both were approved as “charitable” when it was registered as a charitable entity by the Charities Commission on 30 June 2008. They are:

(1) “raising awareness of the suffering, abuse and exploitation of animals” and

(2) “promoting education on human-animal relations”.

SAFE gained charity status on the basis of its “Advancement of Education”. However, it is well-documented and obvious to the public and media that one of its primary objects (deliberately unstated) is to change the law in relation to the treatment of farmed animals – and this involves it aggressively engaging in “political advocacy” campaigns that go much further than just raising awareness of a problem(s).

SAFE’S call for “STOPfactoryfarming” is a very different propaganda call to one that encourages farmers to merely modify their farming practices and comply with existing New Zealand law.

In its response to the ASA Board investigation, SAFE tried to defend its propaganda advert stating that its purpose was to:

“… inspire and empower people to TAKE ACTION ON BEHALF OF THESE ANIMALS. The TVC invites people to suspend belief – to believe in a world where animals can sing and pigs can fly, an END TO FACTORY FARMING is in fact possible” [Emphasis added].

Eliot Pryor and his team of political campaigners are so passionate about changing the law that they break the law to impose their beliefs on others. For example, blocking a roadway and preventing workers accessing Mainland Poultry in 2012, deprived other citizens of their rights to go about their lawful business. Such unlawful actions are the ‘bread-and-butter’ pursuits of Greenpeace activists and Greenpeace has so far been refused charity status based in part on its involvement in such activities.

On the positive side, registered charities are entitled under the Charities Act 2005 to engage in “political advocacy” if it advances one or more of its charitable purposes, provided the extent and degree of such advocacy is only ancilliary to its purposes.

In the case of SAFE’s advertising campaign and its officers’ protest actions that breached the law, such activities involving demands for changes in the law, are not signalled in any shape or form in the purposes of the charity.

Whilst not upholding the complaint from M. Burton, the ASA Board took the view that “the advocacy advertisement [engaged in by SAFE] was intended to raise awareness about the cruelty of caged animal farming”. However, it clearly went much further than that by pointing to its propaganda website “stopfactoryfarming.org.nz”. A careful analysis of the activities of SAFE (see: www.safe.org.nz) and its associated websites reveals that SAFE is an animal “rights” lobby group that perpetually advocates for a particular point of view and is intent on changing the law.

“Advocacy advertising” is a expression of opinion and is a desirable part of the functioning of a democratic society” (Principle 11 ASA Code of Ethics). However, in the case of SAFE, there appears to be nothing in its constitution that connects it with this charity’s perpetual advocacy of the view that the law on farming practices must be changed to prevent the alleged widespread “cruelty” and “torture” of animals in New Zealand.

Note: In another complaint against the advertisment from O.Turk (Decision No. 13/043 dated 21/02/13) the Chairman of the ASA ruled that there were “No Grounds to Proceed”, but did note that it constituted “advocacy advertising”.

SAFE – Save Animals from Exploitation (a registered charity) demands ban on rodeo “animal abuse industry”

by Leave a Comment

Save Animals From Exploitation (S.A.F.E.), a registered charity (Reg. No CC40428) with the Charities Commission, is an “animal rights activist”/political advocacy lobby group demanding law changes to safeguard animals from claimed abuse. As part of their “animal advocacy” crusades, SAFE charity workers have used tactics such as flamboyant and high profile publicity stunts, harrassment of business enterprises and their employees and patrons, civil disobedience and civil disruption.

Fairfax Media reports today that SAFE executive director Hans Kriek has described the government’s rodeo code as “complete nonsense” and rodeos as “essentially an animal abuse industry”. SAFE is demanding government legislate for a complete ban on the sport nationwide.

The 2003 Rodeo Code of Welfare, which sets the minimum standards of care and best practice for rodeos, is under review and Kriek has stated:

“We see no point at all in the review of the code. We will make it clear to the Government that it is time to ban rodeos. Every single animal rights organisation is against rodeos.”

However, Canterbury Vets owner Steve Williams and Canterbury SPCS manager Geoff Sutton disputed this claim at the Methven Rodeo yesterday.

Mr Williams, who vetted every animal at the ground yesterday, said organisers went above and beyond the current code of practice. He does not allow animals to compete if they are not up to the task.

Safe Campaign Manager Mandy Carter, stated in a media release dated 19 April 2012:

“Rodeos are merely a cruel display of man’s dominance and abuse of animals. These animals are forced to endure needless suffering and gross mistreatment, all for the sake of so-called entertainment. There is simply no excuse”.

As part of its political advocacy campaign, SAFE is demanding that government establish a Commissioner for Animals, a new office outside the Ministry for Primary Industries, which could independently represent animal welfare.

SAFE, which describes itself as “the leading animal advocacy group”, received $691,268 from public charity (tax-deductible) donations in the financial year ended 31 March 2011. It spent $589,430 – on paying the salaries and wages of nine full-time and five part-time staff charity workers.  Its financial accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012, that were due on 30 September 2012, are overdue and yet to be filed with the Charities Commission.

References:

1. Ban rodeos, activist says. By Charlie Mann. 22 October 2012.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/7845946/Ban-rodeos-activist-says

2. Charities Commission website. www.charities.govt.nz

3. SAFE Media Release 19 April 2012.

Animal Advocacy Group Angered at Rodeo Inaction

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1204/S00441/animal-advocacy-group-angered-at-rodeo-inaction.htm

4. SAFE Media Release 21 August 2012

Government urged to make high animal welfare standards a reality

http://www.safe.org.nz/images.php?oid=16798

5.  SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation) – a registered charity & its “political advocacy”

https://www.spcs.org.nz/wp-admin/post.php?post=4078&action=edit

6. https://www.spcs.org.nz/wp-admin/post.php?post=3446&action=edit

7. https://www.spcs.org.nz/wp-admin/post.php?post=3497&action=edit

“The Vegan Society of Aotearoa” – a lobby group and registered charity and its “political advocacy”

by Leave a Comment

“Veganz: the Vegan Society of New Zealand Charitable Trust“, was incorporated on 31 July 2002 as a charitable trust. But was it ever registered as a charity with the Charities Commission on 15 September 2010 (Charity Reg. No. CC45333), under another name: “The Vegan Society of Aotearoa” (an unincorporated Trust formed on 1 May 2010)?

There has never actually been any incorporated entity by the name “The Vegan Society of Aotearoa” in New Zealand and yet it is now a registered charity – registered on 15 September 2010 (Charity Reg. No. CC45333).

Under the Charities Act 2005 all entities registered as charities by the Charities Commission must be registered under their correct legal name if they are a legal entity such as an incorporated charitable trust.

The Vegan Society of Aotearoa is not an incorporated  entity and it was registered as a charity with the Charities Commission under this name, which is permitted under section 15 (e) of the Charities Act 2005.

The “aims and objectives of the the Vegan Society of New Zealand Charitable Trust (“Veganz), an incorporated body, are set out  in section 3 of its five-page Trust Deed dated 14 December 2004 and include the following:

3.1 To offer support and information to people interested in veganism in order to assist vegans and others to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.

3.2 To promote and increase the awareness of veganism as a compassionate, healthy and environmentally beneficial lifestyle choice.

3.3. To raise awareness of the cruelty and exploitation involved with the production of animal based products and that it is unnecessary to inflict suffering and death on animals in order to lead to healthy and happy life.

3.4 To research information relevant to a vegan lifestyle and where appropriate to publish this information.

3.5 To lobby for manufacturers to use non-animal based materials in their products.

3.6 To support ethical alternatives to animal based and/or environmentally harmful research and production and when appropriate to lobby governmental and non-governmental bodies to change such practices.

3.7 Promote respect and compassion towards all animals and he environment by appropriate means.

3.8 To develop and maintain positive relationships with organisations with similar aims and objectives, and to offer such organisations support where appropriate.

In 2010 the Charities Commission approved “charitable status” to the unincorporated “Trust” (The Vegan Society of Aotearoa) which has clear links to the political “lobby” group – VEGANZ: The Vegan Society of New Zealand Charitable Trust, as defined by the latter’s two “aims and objectives” (3.5 & 3.6).

S. 3.6 clearly states that the targets of Veganz lobbying crusades to be “governmental and non-governmental bodies to change such practices [as] animal based/ or environmentally harmful research and production”.

When the Charities Commission granted The Vegan Society of Aotearoa charity status, it effectively affirmed this object (s. 3.6) as a  “charitable” – lobbying against almost every “animal based …. research and production” activity involved in our primary production sector, as well as any and every other research activity that Veganz judge to be “environmentally harmful”.

The means of changing the harmful, and “morally wrong practices” specified by Veganz, based on their activities, entail campaigns lobbying for law and policy changes (“political advocacy”).

The Vegan Society of Aotearoa, a registered charity, has as one of its “charitable purposes” – To “take action consistent with … promot[ing] veganism as an environentally, friendly, healthy and compassionate way of life.”

Society members under the cover of this apparently innocuous “charitable purpose” are in effect free to pursue all the objects set out in the Veganz Charitable Trust Deed – as they too promote veganism.

Veganz has been committed to a clearly defined political agenda since its incorporation. This involves lobbying “manufacturers” (s. 3.5), “government and non-government bodies” (s. 3.6) so that certain laws and policies relating to animal treatment and welfare can be changed and substituted with ones that are approved by Veganz members and the wider “animal rights” campaign networks, a number of which are also registered charities (e.g. SAFE – Save Animals From Exploitation).

A founding trustee of The Vegan Society of Aotearoa, Ms Amand Sorrenson, is currently Promotions Manager for SAFE (Save Animals from Extinction), an “animal rights” campaigner/lobby heavily involved in “political advocacy”. (See: http://www.safe.org.nz/Contact-Safe/).

Notes:

The charitable trust “Veganz” was incorporated as a Trust on 31 July 2002 (Reg. No. 1230157).

References:

Trust Deed of VEGANZ: The Vegan Society of New Zealand Charitable Trust dated 14 December 2004.

www.charities.govt.nz

www.vegansociety.org.nz

www.vegetarians.co.nz

VEGANZ: The Vegan Society of New Zealand Charitable Trust and political lobbying

by 2 Comments

In 2005, Ms Sandra Murray Coordinator & Trustee of  Veganz (the Vegan Society of New Zealand Charitable Trust), of which she was Coordinator & Trustee”, conducted a survey of 101 vegans in New Zealand and found that the majority became vegans primarily for animal rights reasons, with the next highest recorded being for health reasons. Environmental reasons were cited by a very smal number of respondents, roughly the same number as cited spiritual/religious reasons and allergy/intolerance reasons (Energy & Food, Iss. 83, August 2005, pp. 8-9).

The notion of animals having “rights” is a highly charged and controversial subject in the field of bioethics and ethics/philosophy. It is indisputable that humans have rights not to be killed and eaten by other humans. But do all animals have the same “rights”? Many “animal rights activists” and doctrinaire vegans sincerely believe they do. The vast majority of reasonable-minded people believe they do not. The link between “animal rights” activism and veganism is well-established.

Is it significant that a founding trustee of The Vegan Society of Aotearoa, Ms Amand Sorrenson, is currently Promotions Manager for SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation), an “animal rights” campaigner/lobby heavily involved in “political advocacy”. (See: http://www.safe.org.nz/Contact-Safe/)? SAFE was registered as a charity with the Charities Commission on 30 June 2008 (Reg. No. CC44028).

Ms Sandra Joanne Murray is listed as “Coordinator & Trustee” of VEGANZ, on its Trust Deed and on the Statutory Declaration accompanying the application for the incorporation of VEGANZ: The Vegan Society of New Zealand Charitable Trust, witnessed by Auckland barrister, Ms Metiria Stanton Turei (currently co-leader of the Green Party MP). Both documents are dated 17 July 2002 and were uploaded onto the Companies website on 31 July 2002.

Along with three other trustees, Ms Murray’s signature is also recorded on the Application For Incorporation of VEGANZ as a Board, dated 29 July 2002 and received by the National Processing Centre of the Companies Office on 31 July 2002 (uploaded on Companies website on 31/07/2002).

On 3 October 2004 the VEGANZ Trust Deed was amended and Ratified at the Trust’s AGM. A copy was signed by Ms Sandra Murray “to be a true and correct copy of the Trust Deed of VEGASNZ: The Vegan Society of New Zealand” on 14 December 2004. It was uploaded onto the Companies website on 20 December 2004. Its registration number is 1230157.

Two of the “aims and objectives” (section 3) of VEGANZ Charitable Trust Deed make it clear that this incorporated Trust is an “animal rights” lobby group.

s. 3.5 To lobby for manufacturers to use non-animal based materials in their products.

s. 3.6 “To support ethical alternatives to animal based and/or environmentally harmful research and production and where appropriate to lobby government and non-government bodies to change such practices.