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Accusations of Abuse in
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The Dominion Post
January 26, 2004
90 claimants now signed up over abuse
By Fran Tyler
The number of people who have signed up to a combined lawsuit over alleged
abuse in state-run children's homes has risen to about 90.
Recent publicity about the case in The Dominion Post resulted in about 45 more
people coming forward claiming they too suffered sexual, physical or emotional
abuse while in the homes in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
The claims had come from all over
She described some of the stories as "horrific".
"Most of those who called have found it terribly distressing to recount
their experience, which the story had prompted. Most have said they found it a
real shock to read the story but ultimately they were grateful that it had
finally come out and that action was being taken. All of them said it had
affected their lives."
Ms Cooper and fellow lawyer Carla Leader are heading the case, which started
from an overheard conversation in a prison. They expected the number of
claimants would double again within another week.
Inmate Mark Haddon began asking other prisoners about their upbringings and
found many had similar stories of abuse. But a code of not "narking",
instilled in them from their time in the homes, meant few had spoken out about
it.
The claims are about a variety of children's homes, including Epuni Boys Home
in Lower Hutt, Hokio Beach Training Centre near Levin, Miramar Girls Home in
Claimants say the homes were nothing more than a breeding ground for criminals
and the violent environment led them on a path of crime, alcohol and drug
dependence and broken relationships.
They are seeking financial compensation and an acknowledgment from the Crown
that the way they were treated was wrong.