A Dunedin survivor of historical sexual abuse says the removal of two more public artworks by child sex offender John Middleditch feels like a weight off her shoulders.
The University of Otago and Tūhura Otago Museum are the most recent institutions in the city to take down artworks by the late Dunedin artist, following a decision by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) to remove a prominent sculpture from Dunedin Hospital last month.
In a statement yesterday, University of Otago registrar Dr David Clark confirmed the artist’s 1969 sculpture Eleven bronze rods supporting albatross wingspan had been removed, following advice from a six-person panel established to review ownership of the artwork.
It was removed from its plinth outside the main entrance to University College (Unicol) and placed in storage, last Friday.
Another Middleditch artwork once displayed in Tūhura Otago Museum’s Southern Land, Southern People Gallery was removed on March 28.
The survivor, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Otago Daily Times she was "blown away" by the response.
"It’s unprecedented in my experience that three of the very significant public institutions in our city have made a strong stand and acted very quickly on it.
"I certainly feel like it's a weight off my shoulders ... it's been a long, long journey for me."
The woman formally complained to police late last year, after requesting the then-Southern District Health Board in 2012 remove Middleditch’s 1980 work Water Sculpture from Dunedin Hospital — a request she said was ignored.
She alleged the Dunedin-born artist sexually abused her in 1972, when she was 11.
A second Dunedin woman then came forward, alleging she too was molested as a child in the late 1960s by Middleditch after meeting him through an art teacher at an Otago school.
Police confirmed Middleditch was convicted in a separate case in December 1976 of indecently assaulting a girl aged between 12 and 16, and of other indecent assaults.
Reports in the ODT from the same month, show Middleditch was convicted of seven charges of indecently assaulting girls aged between 8 and 11, and one of attempting to indecently assault a girl.
None of Middleditch’s work would be in the new hospital.
The woman said she was impressed by how seriously HNZ and the university had taken the issue and appreciated the moral stand they had taken.
"It's certainly not what I've experienced in the past, and it was really validating to go through a process like that with both organisations that was so respectful and acted so quickly."
It sent a strong message that abuse such as that inflicted by Middleditch was not going to be enabled nor protected, no matter how long ago it had happened, she said.
"If someone had asked me what would I like to see happen, I would never have imagined that it would have happened like it has, and that all of these institutions have taken the same stand.
"I just think that's incredibly powerful."
Dr Clark said removing the sculpture aligned with the university’s public commitment to providing a safe environment, given the knowledge they now had about Middleditch’s offending and convictions.
"Knowledge of this offending changes the nature of the relationship between the university community and the work concerned, and its removal from public display reflects a need to re-think the place that the work has in the university."
A petition was launched by an Otago student last month calling for the removal of the sculpture, in addition to the one in the hospital.
It has nearly 400 signatures.
One other artwork by Middleditch, Two Forms, has been identified in the university’s collection and is currently in storage.
"To the best of our knowledge no other public artworks by Middleditch are on display across the campus."
Tūhura Otago Museum director Dr Ian Griffin said they were deeply saddened to learn of Middleditch’s convictions and removing the artwork in their possession was appropriate in showing respect for the victims.
Need help?
Need to talk?: 1737, free 24/7 phone and text number
Healthline: 0800-611-116
Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800-543-354
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828-865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Samaritans: 0800-726-666
Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800-787-797
General mental health inquiries: 0800-443-366
The Depression Helpline: 0800-111-757
Youthline: 0800-376-633, free 24/7, text 234 or talk@youthline.co.nz
What’s Up (for 5-19 year olds; 11am-11pm): 0800-942-8787
Male Survivors Otago: 0800-676-656
