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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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Bullying at an army
cadet school was no worse than at boarding schools, says the officer in
charge when a soldier died there. Wayne Anker was a major
and commanding officer at the Regular Force Cadet School in Waiouru in 1982.
In February that year cadet Grant Bain, 17, of Te Awamutu, died when he was
shot by cadet corporal Andrew Read, also 17, with an M16 rifle. The circumstances
surrounding his death are to be examined, along with allegations of sexual abuse
and daily assaults at the cadet school. Prime Minister Helen
Clark yesterday described the abuse allegations as shocking and said the
Government was moving as quickly as possible to investigate them. Former army recruiter
Mike Subritzky said yesterday that he raised concerns about "over the
top" bullying with Major Anker in 1982. Mr Anker remembered Mr
Subr itzky and said the army had conducted a thorough investigation. "A number of
soldiers were disciplined . . . some being sent for corrective training at
the services correctional establishment in Ardmore," he said, and other
investigations were held into claims of bullying. "It is important
to note that the rate of bullying . . was no different to that of civilian
boarding schools dealing with boys of the same age." The court of inquiry
into Mr Bain's death was extensive because of all the allegations against the
school then, Mr Anker said. As a result, other cadets were sent to the
corrective establishment. Mr Anker questioned the
motives of people only now complaining. "I have been
surprised by a lot of the allegations –- some people appear to be trying to
capitalise on the highly publicised prison inmate payouts," he said. Mr Anker was backed by
former cadets, including New Zealand Maori rugby coach Matt Te Pou. Mr Te Pou, a
16-year-old cadet in 1967-68, said he was never bullied, though some stuff
went on –- as it did at his sons' boarding school. He said things were hard
but honest and he left with qualities he was able to build on. A serving army officer,
who was a 1973 cadet, said he had only ever seen bullying comparable to that
at secondary schools. |
