A survivor of abuse on Caldey Island urges for better safeguarding measures after a review revealed shocking findings about past assaults.
Pembrokeshire: A man who was sexually abused by a monk on Caldey Island is speaking out. Kevin O’Connell says “more needs to be done” after a recent review showed that abuse happened right under everyone’s noses.
O’Connell is one of many who suffered at the hands of a monk named Father Thaddeus Kotik. This monk, who passed away in 1992, allegedly abused children while living on the island, which is home to a group of monks.
Five years ago, O’Connell started the Caldey Island Survivors Campaign to bring attention to the abuse. His efforts led to a review that revealed how the abuse was ignored by authorities.
In the report, it was noted that Kotik used tricks like offering treats to lure kids into secluded areas where he would abuse them. O’Connell shared that he felt like “easy prey” during his visits to the island.
He’s been very vocal about the need for survivors to be included in any future safeguarding efforts. O’Connell believes that only those who have experienced abuse can truly understand the issues at hand.
He’s also worried that the recommendations from the review might not be taken seriously. O’Connell wants to see real changes, and he’s not afraid to keep pushing until they happen.
Reflecting on his own experiences, he recalled how he was often separated from other kids and given sweets by Kotik. Those memories still haunt him, and he feels that the system failed him and others like him.
O’Connell is determined to keep fighting for justice. He wants to ensure that no one else has to go through what he did. His ultimate goal? To see the island shut down or taken over by a more responsible organization.
The current abbot, Father Jan Rossey, has expressed regret over the past and has promised to implement changes. However, O’Connell remains skeptical about whether these promises will lead to real action.