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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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By Martin Johnston Action to settle former
mental hospital patients' compensation claims against the Crown for alleged
abuse may be about to begin. Crown Law (the
Government's lawyers) has arranged to meet lawyers acting for more than 200
former patients. Sonja Cooper and Roger
Chapman act for the former patients of Oakley and Kingseat Hospitals in
Auckland, Tokanui Hospital, Porirua Hospital near Wellington, Lake Alice near
Wanganui and others in Nelson, Christchurch and Otago. "Crown Law and
Roger and I are in discussions about how to progress the matters," Ms
Cooper said yesterday. Crown Law referred the
Herald to Attorney-General Margaret Wilson, who said through her spokeswoman
that Crown Law was always talking to the claimants' lawyers. The claimants, mostly
aged from 8 to 16 when they were patients, allege beatings and sexual abuse
by staff and patients, and inappropriate and excessive use of drugs, solitary
confinement and electric shock therapy, often as a punishment. About 70 claims have
been filed in the High Court and more are being prepared. Each seeks up to
$500,000 compensation and exemplary damages approaching $50,000. The claimants' lawyers
have asked for an inquiry to be set up to spare their clients the trauma of
trials. |
