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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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Wellington:
Presbyterian Support’s hard-line stance on 13 people who say they were
sexually abused at a Wellington children’s home is breaking down. The agency has agreed
to discuss compensation for the group, amid fears within the Presbyterian
Church that the complainants have been treated with a “lack of respect and
sensitivity”. Presbyterian Support,
which ran Berhampore Children’s Home where some former residents say they
were abused by justice of the peace Walter Lake, has reversed its position
and agreed to meet the group’s lawyer this week. It had previously said
that it was not liable for the claims, would not “write out cheques” and
would not deal with any complainant who hired a lawyer or went public. The about-face comes
after a Presbyterian Church document questioned the way the complaints had
been handled and raised concerns about the harm done to the church. The document also
reveals that Presbyterian Support spokesman Trevor Roberts has been sidelined
after publicly accusing the complainants of being motivated by money. More allegations were
reported on TVNZ’s Sunday programme at the weekend, this time of physical
abuse at the hands of Mr Lake. A former staff member told of a severe
thrashing dished out to a young boy who had tried to run away. At least 14 former
residents went to police last year with claims they were sexually abused
during the 1950s and ’60s by Mr Lake, who was made an OBE for social services
in 1986. He died last November, aged 84, just as police were to charge him
with sex offences. Presbyterian Support —
a separate entity from the church — on Sunday said it would meet the lawyer
representing 13 of the 14 complainants this week. The agency was “committed
to giving them full and respectful consideration”. Lawyer Gordon Paine,
who is acting for the 13, said the meeting was an important step. “We’re going to explore
all sorts of things.” Mr Roberts told The
Dominion Post he “won’t be acting as spokesman on this occasion”. The church document
criticised the agency’s handling of the claims, citing a “lack of respect and
sensitivity”. “Christian agencies should be more interested in offering
support and seeking the truth than in protecting their own position.” The document blamed a
“lack of constructive approach” for driving complainants to a lawyer and the
media, and said Mr Roberts “failed badly” to give the kind of response
expected. The bad publicity would
hurt the church, it said. “But please be assured
that the Presbyterian Church takes allegations of abuse and misconduct very
seriously, has clear processes in place to handle complaints, and believes
that its church communities and activities must be safe places for all people
who participate.” |
