A STATEMENT released by the police has confirmed that the force has received further reports of historical sexual abuse at Caldey Island.

The alleged offences have been reported with the same named perpetrator, Father Thaddeus Kotik, who died in 1992.

The original abuse claims were uncovered by an Australian Journalist, Doctor Amanda Gearing, whose article on the subject was published in The Guardian newspaper last week.

Since the story was published, and followed up by The Pembrokeshire Herald, the BBC, and other media organisations, three more women have said they were sexually abused by Father Kotik. One of the women said her two sisters were also abused, bringing the total number of alleged victims so far to 11.

One case was reported to Dyfed-Powys Police as recently as Monday.

Macsas, an organisation that supports survivors of clerical abuse, said an inquiry was needed to establish the extent of the alleged abuse. Meanwhile the children’s commissioner for Wales has asked the abbey for information on its child protection procedures.

The commissioner, Sally Holland, said: “I would like to make sure that any child or young person visiting Caldey or its churches is safe”

Ms Holland confirmed that she had discussed the allegations with the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service, who have not yet responded to media queries.

Last week’s Guardian article revealed that six women, who were abused as children on the island by the same monk, were paid compensation by Caldey Abbey.

In the report, it’s claimed that Father Kotik gained the trust of families who were visiting the island and then sexually abused children he was babysitting.

The women said that the abbey knew about the offences but failed to report Father Kotik’s abuse to the police. One victim said Kotik ‘terrified them into silence’.

The new statement released by Dyfed Powys Police yesterday (Nov 22) reads: “Following the recent media reporting of sexual abuse at Caldey Island, police received two further reports of non-recent sexual abuse on November 21.

“They relate to offences committed during the same time period (between 1977 and 1987) and with the same named perpetrator Thaddeus Kotik. These crimes have been recorded and Officers are in contact with the victims during the investigation and to offer specialist support.

“Police have also received one further report of a sexual assault by another male at Caldey Island around the same time frame. The report has been made by one of the original six victims. This is being investigated separately to the Caldey Island abuse and concerns a man who was visiting Caldey Island at the time and no longer lives there. No further information can be released at present as it would jeopardise the investigation.

“Dyfed-Powys Police continues to work with safeguarding partners and the Abbey at Caldey Island to ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place to prevent children from suffering abuse or coming to any harm.

Detective Superintendent Anthony Griffiths told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “We have specially trained officers at Dyfed-Powys Police to investigate and support victims of non-recent abuse. If there are more victims out there who wish to report, please do so by calling the police directly. We cannot formally record complaints or offer support to victims based on reports via the media. They can do so by calling 101. I would say the same to anyone who has suffered abuse in the past, or is suffering today, that if they find the courage to report it, we will take it seriously and we will offer the support they require.”

READ A FULL FOUR PAGE REPORT IN TOMORROW’S EDITION OF THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD.