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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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The Salvation Army now
has four written complaints regarding the treatment children received at its
Bramwell Booth Children's Home at Temuka in the early 1970s. The army's secretary
for programme Major Alistair Herring yesterday confirmed that four of the
five people who had approached the army, alleging physical or sexual abuse
while they were at the home, have now lodged formal written complaints. In all, the army now
has 21 such complaints, 13 of which have been received in recent weeks. While it was still too
soon to know if other complaints would be forthcoming, Major Herring said it
was probably fair to assume the army was now aware of the majority of the
allegations. The initial eight
complainants had indicated they did not intend referring their complaints to
the police. A team of army staff
including Major Herring, have already met a number of those who have alleged
abuse. "For most that is
the end of the matter. It has been very fruitful. People have been able to
express what has been on their hearts and minds for many years." Asked whether he was
finding such meetings difficult, he said while no one person in the
organisation today was responsible for what was alleged to have happened,
staff had a responsibility for the present-day Salvation Army. "We take whatever
responsibility we can for the Salvation Army of yesterday. "No person can
walk away from history entirely. Nations know that, cultures know that, and
organisations know that," Major Herring said. |
