James Hay Wallace has been stripped of his knighthood, with the New Zealand government appealing to King Charles to revoke the honour.
This decision comes after Wallace’s conviction for sexually abusing three young men was brought to light in June. The move follows Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ announcement on Monday that Wallace is no longer entitled to use the title “Sir” and has been requested to surrender his honours appointment.
Wallace, once a prominent businessman, was exposed as the individual behind the sexual abuse of three young men earlier this year. This revelation came after his Supreme Court appeal for leave to appeal was denied. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed on Monday that Wallace’s knighthood title had been revoked, and he was required to return his official appointment in honours.
The former Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to the Arts had received his knighthood in the 2011 Queen’s Birthday Honors. However, Wallace’s reputation took a severe hit when he was found guilty in 2021 of sexually assaulting three men who had been visiting him at his residence, Rannoch House, in Epsom.
The three men had been indecently assaulted in incidents that occurred in 2000 or 2001, 2008, and 2016. In the earlier instances, the victims had been invited to Wallace’s home for business meetings, ostensibly to discuss grants. These meetings culminated in the victims being given alcohol and then subjected to assaults after being taken on a tour of the premises.
The businessman’s efforts to conceal his actions were further highlighted when he attempted to silence one of the victims by bribing him to withdraw his police complaint. At the time of sentencing, Justice Geoffrey Venning remarked on the calculated nature of these efforts, asserting that Wallace was willing to invest substantial sums of money to evade accountability.
Wallace’s journey through the legal system has been riddled with challenges. Even before his conviction, his name suppression was a point of contention, with media outlets successfully pushing for the lifting of suppression, ultimately leading to his conviction, despite his repeated appeals.
Wallace had reportedly sought public support through emails before his sentencing, reaching out to numerous recipients to avoid imprisonment. However, despite these efforts, Justice Venning sentenced him to prison. Wallace managed to secure an appeal to this decision at the Court of Appeal but later found himself back in jail earlier this year, with the possibility of parole looming next month.
Finding Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence
If you or someone you know is grappling with the aftermath of sexual violence, numerous avenues are available to seek assistance and guidance. Here are some vital resources to turn to:
- Rape Crisis: Reach out to Rape Crisis at 0800 88 33 00 for support. For local helplines, you can visit their website.
- Safe to Talk: You can contact Safe to Talk at 0800 044 334 or text 4334. Additionally, you can access their webchat at safetotalk.nz or email support@safetotalk.nz.
- Victim Support: For empathetic assistance, contact Victim Support at 0800 842 846.
- The Harbour: If you’re seeking online support and information following experiences of sexual abuse, The Harbour offers a valuable platform.
- Women’s Refuge: Exclusively for females, Women’s Refuge can be reached at 0800 733 843, providing a safe space for guidance.
- Male Survivors Aotearoa: Catering specifically to males, Male Survivors Aotearoa offers helplines across New Zealand. Visit their website for more details.
Remember, if you or someone else is in immediate danger, do not hesitate to dial 111 for emergency assistance. Your safety and well-being are of utmost importance.
