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Allegations of Abuse
in Institutions |
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More words, but not much justice,
is former Lake Alice patient Stephen McMahon's * summation of Judge Patrick
Mahony's report that records the abuse of 400 psychiatric patients in state-run
institutions from 1940 to 1992. "We have all been hearing
this sort of thing for a long time, and I don't have a lot of faith in the
system." Mr McMahon * was one of those who
did receive a public apology and a share of government compensation in 2001 for
his suffering while a teenager at Lake Alice. But he said while a second group
of patients was still waiting for the Government to pay them the full value
of their settlement as ordered by the courts, it would continue to be
difficult for others who had been abused and mistreated to get an apology or
compensation. Health Minister Pete Hodgson and
attorney-general Michael Cullen haven't made any promises about what actions
will follow the forum report. "They should pay the people
out," Mr McMahon * said. "It is about money in the end. A letter of
apology is not going to buy a loaf of bread." * Name changed on request
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