The Salvation Army's response to child abuse allegations
1 August 2006
The Salvation Army again publicly reiterates that it is deeply regretful of any incident of abuse perpetrated by any of its staff. It acknowledges that during the 1940’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s some children in our care were subjected to abuse.
A number of former Children’s Home residents have been in touch with The Salvation Army during these past days, and we are speaking with them on a case-by-case basis. The Salvation Army is being open about these incidents of abuse and continues to encourage any former residents who would like to contact us to do so.
The Salvation Army accommodated and cared for more than 30,000 children throughout Australia during this time, of which the vast majority regarded the time spent with us to be a positive experience.
This was not, however, the experience for some and where cases of abuse have been reported The Salvation Army has attempted to bring healing by listening and, where appropriate, making a personal apology. As part of our response we have provided compensation grants, access to professional counselling services, pastoral care, reimbursement of medical expenses, and, where necessary, contributions to legal costs.
In terms of this past week’s media focus, The Salvation Army has confirmed that to date we have settled, out of court, approximately 60 cases in Victoria; understandably we do not provide details of those settlements because of our confidentiality agreements with the recipients. These confidentiality agreements do not prevent any recipients of compensation or assistance to speak of their arrangement. It is their choice.
We emphasise that no Red Shield Appeal monies have been or are being used to fund any compensation or associated counselling costs; rather, internal Salvation Army funds, appropriately put aside for any sort of unexpected contingencies, are being used for this purpose. We reject the notion being publicised by some that there may be as many as 500 potential claimants, thereby exposing The Salvation Army to a compensation bill of up to $25M.
Any former resident of a Salvation Army children’s home who wishes to make contact with The Salvation Army can do so by one of the following methods:
- Please phone The Salvation Army’s Australia Southern Territorial Headquarters on (03) 8878 2400 and ask to speak to the appropriate person handling these matters.
- Alternately, you may write to:
The Secretary for Personnel
PO Box 479
Blackburn, VIC 3130Please mark the correspondence Strictly Confidential
