Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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The Salvation Army is
being accused of trying to avoid financial liability over claims of abuse in
its children's homes. It is investigating
allegations of bad treatment in its institutions, but its lawyers are now
writing to alleged victims ruling out any legal right to compensation. One alleged victim of
abuse, Fay Chase, says she is still in shock about the letter she received. Chase says she suffered
physical abuse as a nine-year-old in a Salvation Army home, one of dozens of
allegations the organisation is investigating. Now the Salvation
Army's insurance lawyers say even if the claims are proven they "will have
a legal defence and any legal proceedings for damages...would now be out of
time". They say that time
limit expired around 1980, but the alleged victims argue they didn't know in
1980 that they were able to do anything. ONE News has spoken to
a lawyer representing another alleged victim who says the law firm, McElroys,
has a reputation as being the toughest in the business and hiring them
"is a call to war". The Salvation Army
won't be interviewed but says "it is still happy to be in dialogue with
any complainant about the humanitarian aspects of their situation". Salvation Army
Investigation Monitor Roger McClay says the Salvation Army is not ruling out
compensation |