A former St Bede’s College staff member is facing four additional charges relating to historical sexual offending against students who boarded at the school.

In October, police filed charges relating to offending against three individuals who boarded at St Bede’s College in Christchurch approximately two decades ago.

Since then, Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons said three additional survivors and several new witnesses have come forward, and the accused now faces a total of 11 charges.

Six relate to indecent assault on a boy between 12 and 16, three charges relate to indecent assault on a man/boy over 16 and a further two are for unlawful sexual connection with a male over 16.

Simmons said police believed the alleged offender targeted those boarding at the school during this time.

The man appeared in the Christchurch District Court in early November and was due to reappear on November 29.

Simmons said police would continue to speak with those who were at the school during the time the alleged offender worked there, and urged other victims of abuse at the school to come forward.

She said police would determine whether more charges would follow as the investigation continued.

“We understand how distressing it can be to report or talk about offending of this nature, but we have officers and detectives dedicated to these cases and to providing a safe space to report offending in confidence.”

Police said any survivors who wished to contact Simmons could do so at the Christchurch Central police station or report it online.

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