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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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One News
March 17, 2003

Million dollar compo for victims

Dozens of men are in line for compensation, in the largest payout in New Zealand by a religious order.

St John of God is offering $4 million for alleged sex abuse at a Christchurch Catholic residential school, some 30 years ago.

Marylands was supposed to be a safe haven, but some who went there as children say it was anything but.

On Monday the Australasian head of the Order of St John of God formally acknowledged the former students' pain, with a $4 million apology.

The money will be shared among 56 former pupils of the Christchurch residential school

The victims say their lives have been shattered by abuse

"Twenty years lost is just something that I can't replace, and you can't put money on that," said one victim.

The apology has cost the order dearly - it is having to take out a loan from a financial institution to service the compensation.

In addition, the order is still dealing with 14 other complainants.

And 18 of those offered some of the $4 million have indicated through their lawyer they will probably try for more through the courts.

Ken Clearwater, of the Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust, says the men are being offered between $65,000 and $100,000 each.

He says that will not be enough for some of the men he has spoken to.