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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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Five former residents
of the Salvation Army's Bramwell Booth Home at Temuka are among those
alleging abuse at the hands of the home's staff decades ago. On Wednesday night, the
army's secretary for programme Major Alistair Herring confirmed two people
who lived at the Temuka home were among the eight who had lodged complaints
some time ago. A further three, all men, have contacted the army in the last
week. The army is now
investigating 36 historical cases of abuse at its children's homes around the
country. The majority of cases relate to harsh corporal punishment, although
a few have referred to sexual abuse. Major Herring was
unable to confirm the types of abuse alleged to have taken place at Bramwell
Booth, or the years the individuals were at the home. The majority of those
who have alleged they were abused were at children's homes in the 40s and
50s, and he suspected that was the likely time-frame for the local cases. The
exception had been a cluster of complaints from people who had been at one
particular home in the early 70s. "Children who came
into our care in that era were a mixture - orphans referred by extended
family or other welfare agencies as well as some wards of the state,"
Major Herring said. The Temuka complex was
first opened as a home for war orphans in 1916. It closed as a children's
home in 1986 and has offered supportive accommodation for adults with
intellectual disabilities since then. Staff are following a
set procedure with all those who allege abuse. Major Herring said
initially staff offer to meet the person and hear their story if that is what
they wish. For some that is enough to provide closure to incidents which
occurred decades earlier. People are also offered
counselling at the army's expense. Records of their time in Salvation Army
care can also be handed over. Sometimes matters are
resolved at that point. An apology is offered
if that is seen as helpful. "We are caring
enough to say sorry," Major Herring said. "You would like to think
this would not happen to children in your care." If the allegations
appear to be more serious, extensive investigations will be undertaken and
depending on the outcome, matters relating to compensation and police
involvement are discussed. |
