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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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Tim Beswick
In 2003, St John of God
paid $4 million compensation to 56 complainants claiming they were sexually
abused as boys at its former Marylands residential school in Christchurch. Three weeks ago the
order sent letters to five victims, telling them they could not expect the
order to continue paying their medical or counselling costs indefinitely.
Their funding, which began in late 2002, would be stopped on September 30. Abuse victim Tim
Beswick, who received a $148,000 lump sum in 2003, said the letter was like a
"smack across the face" and he felt like he was back where he was
four years ago. The Leeston man, 40,
had planned to re-start counselling sessions this Tuesday after a six month
break. "It's painful stuff to be going through. It's a set-back for me.
I can't just pay everything can I," he said. Beswick is also receiving
support for blood clot medication. Beswick said he had
understood the order would support him for the rest of his life for the abuse
he suffered as an eight-year-old. "They promised that to me. I haven't
got a life. They took my manhood. They took my reading and writing. They
broke my family up," he said. Australasian spokesman
for the St John of God Order, Simon Feely, said in some cases the church felt
it had been "more than fair" in paying counselling and medical
bills. The order was paying interest on loans it borrowed from Catholic
Church financial funds to pay victims. It sought advice from psychotherapy
and counselling experts when making the decision to withdraw some counselling
and medical support from the five victims. Brother Peter Burke,
the Australasian head of the order, would be open to requests to review his
decision, Feely said. "Brother Burke
generously and compassionately has been dealing personally and professionally
with each and every person (and their loved ones) that has ever come forward with
a complaint. And he will continue to be there for them, but within reasonable
limits." Beswick said Burke
stopped talking to him last year, despite his efforts to make contact.
Beswick intended to fight the decision. |
