Christchurch Star
June 7 1989
Hospital Staff 'in breach of guidelines' - One of the Cases
by Cate Brett
One of the cases
investigated by Dr Ding and reported on "Frontline" programme was the
story of Ben.
In a major report on March 28 the "Christchurch Star" told the story
of Ben and his family.
It took up where the story of Baby C, an infant who died while under the
Department of Social Welfare's supervision, left off. This time it involved a
Since January last year this family was subjected to microscopic scrutiny by a
bewildering number of professionals.
On May 12, 1988, all four children were forcibly taken from their home by a
squad of police and social workers.
The Department of Social Welfare alleged each child had been physically and
emotionally abused by its parents.
It later also alleged two of the children had been sexually abused in all
probability by their father.
After a separation of 291 days and a court hearing which spanned six months the
children have now been returned to their mother.
The marriage did not survive the ordeal, but the children's father, still
believed by some to have sexually abused at least one of his children, has free
access to his children.
All complaints against the parents were dismissed on March 2, in spite of the
judge's lingering suspicions that the child at the centre of the case may well
have been sexually abused by someone.
The "Christchurch Star" was given special leave by the Family Court
judge to report on the proceedings and the issues raised.