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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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A former cadet at the
New Zealand Army Waiouru Cadet School is working to raise awareness of what
he says was widespread physical, psychological and sexual abuse of cadets as
young as 15 at the school in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. He hopes to get
Government to support for Army staff who have had problems in later life as a
result of their negative experiences. After contacting
numerous former Army colleagues, Ian Fraser, a former Army communications
officer, has published an on-line investigative report - [SEE Investigation:
Inside The Waiouru RF Cadet School] - about violence and abuse at the Cadet
School. He says the Army was aware of the problem but that it had been swept
under the carpet for years. Mr Fraser, who now
lives in Perth, is inviting more former cadets to contact him with their
stories and to join him in seeking Government assistance. He says he hopes
that his report will be circulated widely through Army networks via the
Internet so that former cadets who are having problems can contact him. He said his goal is to
gain recognition of the problem and maybe compensation from the Government
for former cadets suffering ongoing problems. However he said he did not want
a witchhunt or accusations against those responsible, actively or through
neglect, for the abuse. The idea is purely to help people in need. He said it has long
been recognised that soldiers can have problems as a result of traumatic
military experiences. But it is harder for Army authorities to accept that
trauma and other psychological damage can result from the Army's own culture
of violence. * Former cadets can
contact Mr Fraser at [email protected]. ************** Former Army
communications officer Ian Fraser is seeking Army staff who experienced
severe violence or abuse while attending the Army's Waiouru Cadet School.
With other ex-soldiers, he is intending to ask the Government for support for
former cadets who are being affected later in life by abuse suffered at the
school. Here is a preliminary report on the issue. Interested former soldiers
should contact Ian Fraser at [email protected]. |
