Silipa Take 10.30PM: The NZ AIDS Foundation has confirmed that the man who lodged a formal complaint with the police against its former counsellor Silipa Take had been a client of Wellington's Awhina Centre where Take worked until 2009, and that the man recently approached the organisation for assistance. The Awhina Centre is the Foundation's Wellington and lower North Island hub for prevention and support activities where vulnerable gay and bi men with HIV or at risk of contracting the debilitating disease could seek professional advice and support. Take appeared yesterday before the Wellington District Court facing two charges of indecent assault arising from a police investigation triggered by the complaint. "A former client proactively sought the support of the NZAF in laying a complaint with the Police," says NZAF Executive Director Shaun Robinson, "and the NZAF has been actively supporting the client through this process." Take, Robinson has also confirmed, was a qualified counsellor under full time employment with the NZAF in 2009 when his alleged offending was first reported. He had been working with the Foundation for several years. GayNZ.com Daily News is as yet unsure as to whether the complainant who came forward in 2009 and the most recent complainant are two individuals or one and the same man. Robinson could not be re-contacted late this afternoon when our reporter sought to check this aspect of the case. Regarding the nature of Take's abrupt departure from the NZAF in October 2009, Robinson has also clarified to GayNZ.com that, following the Foundation's internal investigation, the counsellor was asked to resign and did so. [Editor's note: Further details of the charges, the relationship between the complainant and the accused or what occurred to spur the complaint are unlikely to emerge for some time. The case is now before the Court and therefore sub judice meaning GayNZ.com Daily News is legally unable to publish such information until the case goes to trial.]
Credit: GayZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 27th October 2012 - 4:17pm