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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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As a 12-year-old, Brent
Aplin lay in his bed, dreading the night ahead and what the early hours of
the morning might bring. It wasn't a childish
fear of the dark that made him anxious. He says it was the reality of sexual
abuse at the hands of a Salvation Army children's home manager. Mr Aplin says the man
who was to act as his caregiver betrayed his trust and, over a period of four
months, visited his room nightly, fondling the young boy's genitals as other
children in the home slept. He says the abuse ended
when the manager was "moved on". Now living in the North
Canterbury town of Oxford, Mr Aplin, 47, told The Press he was speaking out
to help other victims of abuse. "People who are
abused feel shame. They shouldn't but they do. I am speaking out to try to
help others." Mr Aplin went into care
aged five. His mother was sick (she died a year later), and his father was
not able to cope with four young sons. All four boys went into separate
homes, and have since lost contact. After counselling in
1994, Mr Aplin finally approached the Salvation Army in June this year
seeking $25,000 compensation and a formal apology. His approach was made one
month before the Salvation Army in Australia publicly apologised to its
alleged abuse victims, sparking a flurry of complaints in New Zealand. He says the Salvation
Army told him in June that it was taking his complaint seriously, and would
investigate. He says he was not offered counselling, or support in the
short-term, but believes an investigation has started. Mr Aplin's June
complaint was one of eight that the New Zealand organisation was
investigating when the Australian abuse came to light. Since then, 22 new
complainants have come forward in New Zealand. Spokesman for the
Salvation Army, Major Alistair Herring, said the organisation had been in
touch with Mr Aplin, but had had difficulty progressing with his case because
of insufficient information. "We're deeply
upset by the possibility that children might have been abused while at our
children's homes. Our first priority is to work sensitively, thoroughly, and
as quickly as possible with people who are approaching us to help with their
concerns." The organisation hoped
to meet Mr Aplin to "progress" the complaint. -------------------- CAPTION: PHOTO: JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON
Brent Aplin: says he was sexually abused at a Salvation Army home. |
