Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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The head of the
Australasian St John of God order has come under fire for the way he handled
compensation payments in regards to allegations of sexual abuse at Marylands
School during the 1970s. Brother Peter Burke
gave evidence today in the High Court trial of former Christchurch religious
brother Bernard Kevin McGrath. He is on trial on
multiple counts of sexual abuse of boys. Brother Burke told the
court that approximately $5.1 million was paid out to complainants who
contacted the Catholic Church in 2002. Defence lawyer Raoul
Neave asked Brother Burke why the claims were not investigated before the
payments were awarded. Brother Burke responded saying he heard stories he
thought he would never hear in his wildest dreams...and it was hard for him
to then say they were made up. |