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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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The Salvation Army has
received 26 complaints about abuse of children in its care in New Zealand
since an Australian documentary last week revealed similar abuse. Ten of those alleged
cases happened at the former boys' home at Hodderville, 10km southwest of
Putaruru at Waotu. The new complaints come
on top of eight the organisation was dealing with before the Australian
documentary aired. Salvation Army
spokesman Alistair Herring said the complaints were "quite frankly appalling
to us". "A small number of
people employed over the years have betrayed that trust," he said. The Salvation Army was
"putting all its energy" into the new complaints. "Every person who
has had a bad experience, we are taking those calls very seriously." Each of the new
complainants, bar one, had been spoken to personally and many had received
visits from Salvation Army staff. Mr Herring said not all
the people wanted to make formal complaints. "Some just wanted
to talk, share their stories and feel they have been heard. "Some are looking
for an apology and formal redress and we are looking for as much detail as
possible on those cases". One of the new
complainants, Hamilton man Peter Murphy, said he suffered 10 years of
"isolation, neglect and abuse" at Whatman Home near Masterton Mr Murphy is hoping
other people who had similar experiences will contact him to help resolve
longstanding issues and set up a support group. "I saw people physically
abused and one boy sexually abused by an officer. "The worst
physical attack I suffered was being beaten on the ankles with a
hammer," he said. Mr Murphy said he saw
"lots of beatings" by staff members at the home. |
