> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://goodoil.news/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# The BFD Comment of the Week
- URL: https://goodoil.news/the-bfd-comment-of-the-week-75/
- Published: 2022-10-10T23:15:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-10-10T07:47:12.000Z
- Author: Good Oil Staff
- Tags: NZ, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-07-16 22:48

*As part of our drive to keep our comment section the best in New Zealand we showcase each week an example of a top-notch comment that adds value to The BFD.*

Today’s comment was written by **[Ferris Bueller](https://disqus.com/by/disqus%5FI7pcGWtEAf/?ref=goodoil.news)** Thank you Ferris Bueller for taking the time to craft such an interesting comment.

---

Thirty years ago, Peter Ellis and four co-workers at the Christchurch Civic Crèche were arrested and charged with child sexual abuse. What followed was an unbelievable witch hunt driven by hysteria and an ugly development of overzealous (pun intended) medical players and new-age parents, only too keen to pursue those who they believed to be child abusers in the absence of any real evidence.

It has taken 30 years of someone’s life to expose this injustice. Peter Ellis stood firm against a system that would have broken most of us. For a gay daycare worker, he has certainly shown us what true strength looks like. When the evidence is reviewed, it seems laughable that he was ever convicted. Most of the evidence turned out to be fanciful and ludicrous tales extracted by agenda-driven activists. Perhaps this has shown us all what happens when the pitchfork and torch crowd influence our legal system.

Although he paid a huge price, his legacy will be exposing manipulative child interview techniques that have now been debunked and abandoned as unsafe. His legacy is also exposing activist expert witnesses, namely Dr **Karen Zelas** whose testimony went a long way to convicting Ellis, testimony that was roundly criticised in today’s judgement. Her expert testimony included statements that if a child says they have been abused, they must be believed irrespective that the admission of abuse was extracted by very manipulative interviewing. If a child said they hadn’t been abused, they were obviously in denial. Symptoms of child abuse included bet wetting and stomach pains. The bar was set very low by these people to convict Ellis.

We then had revelations that one of the lead detectives on the case entered into a relationship with the mother of one of the children. Professionalism and objectivity were early casualties of this case.

Peter Ellis was convicted and sent to prison. He always claimed his innocence and never waivered. Invariably when child abusers go to prison, they go “on protection” as kiddie fiddlers are the lowest of low. Ellis never went on protection and did his time in mainstream jail. The word was he was not to be touched…..even the crims knew it was a very unsafe conviction and also believed he was innocent. His legacy also exposes the manipulation of the parole board. To be considered for parole, a prisoner must admit their guilt, Ellis refused stating he would never confess to a crime he did not do. This meant he had to serve his full sentence. In the end, he embarrassed the Parole Board to such an extent they were forced to release him.

Today’s verdict is a just one in terms of clearing Ellis’s name but there are still thirty years of an innocent man’s life to be restored. Sadly this can never happen as he died from cancer in 2019\. Peter Ellis served his time with dignity and he died with dignity. There are many contributors to what Peter Ellis went through who have no claim to dignity.

[If you enjoyed this article please share it using the share buttons at the top or bottom of the article.](#)

[If you would like to access exclusive Member content or just remove the ads to make your reading experience more enjoyable click here to browse our Membership options.](https://thebfd.co.nz/subscription-plans/?ref=2)