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Allegations of Abuse
in Institutions |
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The accusations are against Walter
Lake, 83, a justice of the peace who headed the Presbyterian church's
Berhampore childen's home in the 1950s and 1960s. Kathleen Batchelor is one of at
least seven people who claim Lake, the former head of the Presbyterian
church's social services division, sexually assaulted them when they were
children in his care. "I have said to friends that
I would deal with this to the day I die to make sure that justice came
out." But Batchelor says whatever the
outcome of the investigation, one satisfaction will always be denied her. "The thing that hurt me most,
was the two ladies that ran the children's home in my time... have gone to
their graves not believing me," she says. Police have now launched the
full-scale inquiry into just what went on, 44 years after Batcherlor's first
cry for help. The abuse is alleged to have
occurred in Lake's car, living room and in a shed at the Berhampore
children's home. Police are refusing to discuss the
matter but will confirm they are investigating multiple complaints of alleged
sexual abuse at the home. While they won't name the parties
involved, ONE News understands they are centred on Lake- a JP who was awarded
the OBE in 1986 for a lifetime's work in social services. Senior Wellington investigator
Detective Inspector Gary Knowles is to head the inquiry, which follows
allegations on the Holmes programme of sadistic behaviour at the home by
Walter Lake. One victim, who did not want to be
named, has described the alleged abuse. "I'd be stripped, I would
have to take my clothes off and he would give me a thrashing but at the same
time he would be holding on to my penis and then he would masturbate on
me." Another alleged victim, Amanda
Dunn, says that Lake did not care if he hurt the children during the
incidents. "It seemed to give him more
pleasure. In the end it didn't hurt -you felt nothing." Lake's lawyer Robert Lithgow says
his client denies ever sexually abusing any children and Lake himself has not
returned calls. Lake's former employer,
Presbyterian Support NZ has issued a statement saying it is not in a position
to comment on the matter. "We've carried out our
investigation as far as we can and await the outcome of police
investigations." Kathleen Batcherlor says the
announcement that an investigation will take place is a relief. "It's like a big load off
your shoulders because you know that now you're being believed, and the
police will act." |
