Allegations of Abuse
in Institutions |
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Prime Minister Helen Clark and
Attorney-General Margaret Wilson have left the door open to an inquiry but
say the complaints must be investigated first. Ms Wilson confirmed yesterday that
the Crown was investigating 62 claims about treatment at various psychiatric
institutions, including Porirua, and a further 44 complaints were likely to
be filed. "The Crown's investigations
will take some time because many of the claims relate to incidents that took
place more than 30 years ago. The Crown treats these claims seriously and
that's why they're all being investigated." Ms Wilson said: "Generally,
the Crown will not make payments unless legal liability can be
established." She gave no details of the claims.
Former child psychiatric patients
allege they were abused, beaten, raped and given shock treatment while they
were kept in hospital during the 1960s and 1970s. They are seeking damages
for ill-treatment and abuse. Lawyers acting for the group say
the allegations include patients enduring long periods of solitary
confinement and the use of electro-convulsive therapy as punishment. Records show that some of the
children were as young as nine when they were placed in psychiatric institutions
because of "behavioural difficulties". Most of the complaints relate to
treatment at The
claims are similar to those made by former |