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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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A probe into the Army's
Waiouru Cadet School finds there were physical and sexual abuses at the
school. The historical
allegations were investigated by former High Court judge David Morris, who
found that abuses had occurred but that they were not part of a culture of
violence. Defence Minister Phil
Goff concedes that some of the abuse amounts to assault, opening the door to
criminal action, civil action or a formal complaint with the Defence Force.
He says it is obvious some people were traumatised by what amounts to
assault. Mr Goff says it is
important a person alleged to have committed a sexual violation is charged
and brought to justice. The independent review
was launched just over a year ago after former Army Sergeant Ian Fraser
published an article reporting widespread abuse. The report states that
although bullying did take place at the school from 1948 to 1991, most of it
involved a few cadets who were responsible for bullying colleagues. Justice Morris has also
reported on the 1981 fatal shooting of Cadet Grant Bain, shot dead by Andrew
Read at the school barracks in 1981. He believes Read should have faced a
manslaughter charge instead of negligence, as he was given too much
un-policed authority over junior cadets. Mr Goff will now
discuss compensation with the Bain family. |
