www.peterellis.co.nz : seeking justice for Peter Ellis : mail to: [email protected]

Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

Index: Home Page Peter Ellis
Index: Accusations in Institutions

One News
April 3, 2004

Caregivers face abuse allegations


Two caregivers at a Child Youth and Family (CYF) home in South Auckland have been stood down as police investigate an allegation of assault against boys in their care.

A department spokesperson, Christine Langdon, says the six-bed Windrush Close family home in Mangere was closed for a week and the caregivers were immediately stood down after the police took a complaint from a boy at the home in December last year.

Relief staff have been called in and the stood-down caregivers are not working for the department while its own investigation continues, but so far no charges have been laid.

Complainant Anton Purvis was fourteen when he was taken from his mothers care and put into the home after brushes with Police, he now lives with his father near Wellington.

Head of CYF in Auckland, Mike Munnelly, says it is not unusual that the allegations are bought to their attention by Police rather than their own case workers

Anton's father, Grant Harris, says care is the last thing his son received at Windrush Close and feels the agency have insufficient safeguards in place to protect children in their care.

The two caregivers deny the allegations against them.