Allegations of Abuse
in Institutions |
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Sexual abuse, violence,
humiliation and cruelty played a daily part in the lives of psychiatric patients,
a harrowing report has revealed. The voices of about 400 former
patients have been recorded by a confidential forum, chaired by former
principal Family Court judge Patrick Mahony, painting a grim picture of abuse
in state-run institutions from the 1940s till 1992. The Government acknowledged the
accuracy of the report yesterday and did not rule out making apologies or
paying compensation. But it is treading carefully as it
weighs up the potential costs of doing so. However, the findings are expected
to bolster legal action planned by about 230 former patients, starting late
this year. Releasing the report yesterday,
Judge Mahony said there was "potency" about the common themes that
emerged from the experiences of unconnected people in different places at
different times. Patients from 53 hospitals or
clinics, including They also detailed highly
regimented daily routines, crowded dormitories, dirty and smoky day rooms and
of a lack of privacy for using toilets and bathing. "Many used the word 'zombie'
to describe how they felt," Judge Mahony said. "It was an atmosphere
pervaded by a sense of hopelessness in which they felt trapped." Daily routines were degrading and
humiliating, the report says. Patients told of being lined up
naked and hosed down before showering and being made to bathe in dirty, cold
water. Some talked of poor sanitation and of housing infested with rats and
cockroaches. Former institution staff also came
forward, with some defending their behaviour as being in tune with the
"out of sight, out of mind" attitudes of the day. Others spoke of
trying to stop abuse, but of being stonewalled by senior staff - and even
reprimanded and intimidated. Some told of patients being sterilised without
consent. The confidential forum was set up
in 2004 as a wave of grievances emerged after the Government paid
compensation to former A former Judge Mahony said the forum was
not an attempt to sidestep compensation, which remained an option. But he said most simply wanted an
apology from the Government for abuse that was "deeply humiliating and
demeaning, often taking a life-long toll". Health Minister Pete Hodgson said
the Government would consider both options but had to carefully weigh up
each. Compensation could be costly both for the Crown and for litigants, who
would also have to relive their experiences. Deciding what and who to
apologise for would also be problematic. "Some people ... thought they
were doing their best in the absence of knowledge and changed values that we
now have." Attorney-General Michael Cullen
said the priority was to find ways former patients could get closure and
satisfaction in a respectful and non-adversarial way. How that would be
achieved was still an open question. Meanwhile, the Government is
likely to extend the forum process to cover anyone institutionalised between
1940 and 1992, not just former psychiatric patients.
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