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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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The Salvation Army has
started paying compensation to people claiming to have been abused as
children while in the religious charity's care. At least two people
from the army's former childrens homes have had their claims settled and
others are considering financial offers. Complainants are believed to have
received about $8000. Another woman was
offered more than $20,000, but has not accepted the gesture. The Salvation Army is
investigating at least 36 formal complaints of physical or sexual abuse,
mostly from the 1940s and 1950s. Some allegations were of older boys abusing
younger boys, but most related to staff. Most complaints stemmed from stays
at the Hodderville Boys Home in the Waikato town of Putaruru, and another
home in Masterton. Several complaints relate to a former home in Temuka,
which closed in the late 1970s. Child, Youth and Family
(CYF) is also investigating abuse complaints from 33 people who believed they
were state wards when sent to the army's homes. Up to 8000 children were
cared for nationwide by the army between 1903 and 1993. Salvation Army Abuse
Survivors spokeswoman Jan Lowe confirmed two of its 45 members had reached settlements
with the army. Another three were considering offers. "We want public
acknowledgement that the abuse happened and for the Salvation Army to say
it's sorry," said Lowe. Lowe and some fellow
members have been invited to meet with army representatives. Others had yet
to be approached. She had written to the
army on her group's behalf, saying members were prepared to meet if the army
paid for their legal representation as well as reasonable travel and
accommodation costs. Lowe was awaiting a reply. Salvation Army
spokesman Major Alistair Herring would not comment on settlements. "We are simply
resolving issues with people and working with them on an individual
basis," he said. "We certainly have organised counselling for some
people." Formal claims for
compensation had been filed through lawyers and were being dealt with by the
army's legal representatives. Complainants were not required to sign
confidentiality clauses in relation to settlements, said Herring. "It's been a very
sad, often very painful process, but a very healthy process for us from day
one. One situation of abuse is one too many," said Herring. "We've
really wanted to be able to provide for people a process which brings for
them healing." Former Children's
Commissioner Roger McClay, appointed by the army in October to independently
monitor its investigation, has now finished his role. The survivors group
refused to deal with him, saying he had a conflict of interest as he was paid
by the army. A CYF spokeswoman said
a team was searching for the files of the 33 individuals who had contacted
the department, claiming abuse or neglect in army homes. Most had been found.
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