Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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The Salvation Army
abuse scandal could be about to ensnare the government, as claims of abuse
suffered by children at homes run by the organisation keep coming. There have been
revelations some were put in Salvation Army homes as wards of the state,
meaning the government may have to investigate. ONE News has also
learned the abuse could go back further than first thought. The Salvation Army is
investigating 36 abuse complaints in its childrens' homes dating back to the
end of the World War II - but the complaints now go back even further. "Jack", was
in Hodderville Boys' Home between 1925 and 1933 as a ward of the state. He says he believes the
government should have taken some responsibility at the time and still has a
duty to do so. "I think they
should have been finding out what was happening to their wards, what was
going on." It is estimated as many
as 8000 children lived in Salvation Army homes over the years. Some had the state as
their legal guardian - Child Youth and Family is now reviewing its files to
see how many were involved. The minister in charge,
Ruth Dyson, says "It's not appropriate to comment until specific
approaches are made from people who were state wards alleging abuse. We would
then take every such case seriously and consider it on its merits." Jan Lowe was at the
Celia Whatman home which was established in 1921 and says the abuse there was
horrific. She recalls: "On
one occasion being slapped so hard that my neck wouldn't straighten up,
excruciatingly sore." Lowe tried to take
legal action against the Salvation Army two years ago but received a letter
from its lawyers denying abuse. The Salvation Army says
it is now back in discussions with her. "Jack" says
he will also be in touch with the Salvation Army to discuss his unhappy
childhood at a home where numbers replaced names. "My number was 14.
Here I am at nearly 84 and I can still remember my number." |