Silipa Take 8.15PM: Detectives investigating allegations against a man charged today with indecent assault whilst working as a counsellor at the NZ AIDS Foundation's Awhina Centre in Wellington are appealing to anyone with similar allegations to come forward. Ex-NZAF employee Silipa Take appeared in the Wellington District Court late this morning facing two charges of indecent assault of a man or boy over the age of 16 and arising from claims which first surfaced in 2009 when he worked for the Foundation. Detective Daniel MacIntosh says many of Take's clients have been discreetly contacted with assistance from the NZAF but some of the men who approached the Awhina Centre and were subsequently counselled by Take around HIV and sexuality matters were too nervous to give the Centre their real names or contact details. He says these men cannot now be contacted to check if their experiences fit the pattern of Take's alleged offending. Others counselled by Take have moved or changed contact details and cannot currently be contacted. "We know that many of these guys are likely to be even more nervous about contacting the police but we will treat them with total respect, confidentiality and, if they prefer it, total anonymity," MacIntosh says. MacIntosh acknowledges that there is some historical reluctance by gay and bi men to deal with the police in matters regarding their sexuality. "But it's a changed world," he notes, pointing out that the new generation of police officers, some of whom are openly gay, lesbian or transsexual, are generally totally at ease with glbti people and issues. "We're not '0800 OLD COPS' any more," he chuckles, in reference to the 0800 NEW COPS police recruiting campaigns of recent times. The investigation into allegations against Take is ongoing and MacIntosh says the investigating team is eager to hear from anyone alleging improper conduct. They can phone 04 381 2000 and ask for him or for the officer heading the investigation, Detective Constable Lesa Eastergaard. Alternative initial contact people within the police include the Diversity Liaison officers around the country, a network of glbti-friendly officers, many of whom are gay or lesbian. A link to GayNZ.com's listing of DLOs is provided below.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 26th October 2012 - 8:18pm