Latest news with #ElizabethKite
ABC News
08-08-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
"The emotional scars are lasting" - Tongan family responds to arrest of accused child molestor
Tongans are calling for child protection reforms following the arrest of former missionary James Purdy charged with sexually abusing minors in the Kingdom. Mr Purdy was meant to face a Tongan court on sex abuse charges back in 2023 but fled the country before his trial date. The arrest of 28-year-old James Purdy is a long time coming for the family of one of the alleged victims – who was only eight at the time of an alleged sexual assault. Mr Purdy was arrested by Tongan police in October 2022, after an eight-year-old schoolboy disclosed that Purdy sexually assaulted him during their tutoring sessions. In a written statement to Pacific Beat, the family who asked to kept anonymous, expressed relief at the arrest of a man they say has left them scarred. "Although these events occurred in 2022, the trauma remains deeply present in our lives, particularly for my young nephew. As a family, we have done our best to heal and move forward, but the emotional scars are lasting." the statement read. Court documents allege Purdy recorded minors in his apartment bathroom without their knowledge. This was based on 175 images found on his laptop that was seized in various apartments across Tonga. "Reading the case files was just so disturbing," said youth leader Elizabeth Kite. "Especially considering that Purdy continued his abuse while on bail despite multiple formal requests from Purdy to leave Tonga, there appeared to be no meaningful effort to monitor him closely or prevent his escape. That that's really disappointing to me. What disturbs me most is that he was actively assisted and supported by locals. People who we see around Tonga every day and you know, for me, I have no doubt that they were aware of his crimes against our children and that is just beyond disgraceful." Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki, Director of the Women & Children Crisis Centre in Tonga, is equally outraged. She says a weak prison system has resulted in rapists and child abusers being able to temporarily leave prison and even visit the families of their victims. "Well, we've got very weak internal security protocols and that's across the board from the police to the prisons. We've had child sexual abuse cases where the perpetrator has been found guilty, put away in prison and then turned up at the survivors house because the prison wardens have taken, and yes, because he says he wants to apologise<" said Ms Guttenbeil-Likiliki. Reforms in the justice system have been ongoing in Tonga long before Purdy's arrest. According to Ofa child abuse is on the rise in Tonga and that the news of purdy's crime has spotlighted the problem. "It's probably shocked the nation to hear that such a case has happened in Tola, but truth be told, this has been going on even with our own people in Tonga. You know, this person is a foreigner who's who's come outside, but the fact is it's happening in Tonga as well, and people are turning a blind eye to it. They're turning the they don't want to admit that. That its happening in Tonga."
ABC News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
'Everyone has a place to serve': Elizabeth Kite is empowering the next generation of leaders in Tonga
Tongan youth advocate and activist Elizabeth Kite is reshaping the leadership landscape in the nation. As the founder and CEO of Take The Lead, Tonga's first youth-led organisation, Elizabeth empowers young Tongans, especially women, to step into spaces of leadership, education, and politics. After years of volunteering and the loss of a close family member, the activist told Nesia Daily it all started with wanting to create "an NGO that would empower and educate the next generation of leaders". "We can reshape how leaders would actually tackle issues, especially regarding the people that are most vulnerable in our country." Now seven years strong, Take The Lead has reached hundreds through mentorship, scholarships, and its flagship program She Leads Fale Alea - a mock parliament for women aged 16–29. She Leads Fale Alea 2025 is helping train young women in leadership, civic education, and politics. ( ) This year, 30 young women debated real issues like climate education and Tonga's energy policy, and the outcomes were submitted to MPs to present in Parliament. "They did a phenomenal job in showing Tonga just what young women can do if they're given the opportunity." As the Pacific Regional Representative for the Commonwealth Youth Council, Elizabeth's work has earned her global recognition, including a Queen's Young Leader Award. Elizabeth's message to young people across the Pacific is clear: "Everyone has a place to serve, and I would encourage young leaders to focus on service, over focusing on leadership."
