Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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Wider Salvation Army inquiry wanted Claims of abuse in
children's homes run by the Salvation Army may yet trigger an independent
inquiry. The Salvation Army is
conducting its own investigation but the minister responsible for children
says some sort of action will have to be taken if there's evidence of
widespread abuse. Some alleged abuse
victims are demanding government action. Roy Skinner says he
suffered repeated sexual and physical abuse when he was a six-year-old state
ward in the Salvation Army's care. Now he says only an independent public
inquiry can help make amends for his loss of innocence. The Salvation Army is
investigating more than 20 cases of abuse in its children's homes - dating
back decades. Thirteen of the complaints are from former state wards. However, many refuse to
make a formal complaint because they are furious that the Salvation Army is
investigating itself. "All those old
feelings come back - it's just the sight of the uniform," says Anita. For eight years Anita
was a resident at the Grange in the heart of the Auckland suburb of Remuera -
now replaced with upmarket apartments. Anita says it was there that she
suffered shocking physical abuse in the 1950s. Anita is adamant that
the Salvation Army should not be investigating the cases. The Salvation Army is
offering to meet victims face to face and they are being offered counselling.
Anyone wanting compensation must prove their case to the army's insurers. "We're not pranged
cars - we are people...this happened and by doing this they're trivialising
us," says Anita. In Australia a senate
inquiry is under way into all historic cases of abuse of children in care.
New Zealand victims say if it's good enough for Australia, then it should be
here. "It was a total
and utter letdown - it was a failure of the government to act properly
and...I am strongly of the opinion that they are not acting properly now,"
says Skinner. The government says it
is still too early for an independent inquiry - but it's not rejecting the
idea. Child, Youth and Family
Minister Ruth Dyson says if there is clear systematic abuse then that would certainly
call for some sort of co-ordinated action and response |