|
|
Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
|
Former residents of the
Salvation Army's Bramwell Booth Home at Temuka allege they were both
physically and sexually abused. The army's secretary
for programme, Major Alistair Herring, said four men and a woman have now
alleged they were abused by staff at the home. Although the five were
still to be spoken to in depth by staff, Major Herring said it appeared the
children were at the home mainly in the early 1970s. It was too early to say
whether the allegations related to the same staff members in each case. The Salvation Army has
now received 36 allegations of abuse, although the majority relate to
children who were in the church's 15 homes in the 1940s and 1950s. Most of the complaints
originated from stays at the Hodderville Boys Home in the Waikato town of
Putaruru, and a Salvation Army home in Masterton. Up to 8000 children
lived at the homes from 1903-1993. The Temuka home catered
for boys from 1916 to 1989, with girls also living there from January 1969.
The home cared for orphans, children referred by other welfare agencies and
wards of the state. Major Herring said at
this stage it was alleged a small number of staff throughout the country were
responsible for the majority of the abuse. The Child Youth and
Family (CYF) department is now investigating claims that state wards were
sent to the Salvation Army's homes. It was not known how many of those who
were alleging abuse had been state wards, Major Herring said. Last week the Salvation
Army in Australia apologised for abuse suffered by children in its care in
the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Some people have
received financial compensation for abuse which included cases of physical
and sexual abuse. |
