New Zealand Royal Commission: the Salvation Army confirmed 238 historical abuse claims and accepted that abuse in its care was wide-ranging

Proceedings

1. 2024-07-24 · final report presented to Parliament

   Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (Aotearoa New Zealand). Murray Houston confirmed to the Inquiry that as at 1 August 2020 the Salvation Army had received 238 claims regarding historical abuse and/or neglect, and the Salvation Army accepted that abuse and neglect in its care 'was wide-ranging and involved different types of perpetrators, including Salvation Army officers and other staff members, other residents, visitors to the homes and foster parents' (¶736). The Inquiry found the abuse and neglect suffered in its children's homes and homes for unwed mothers included sexual, physical and psychological abuse and neglect, including inadequate nutrition, hygiene and healthcare; at the Salvation Army's Bethany Homes, some women told the Inquiry they were made to feel shamed for being unwed mothers and felt pressured to adopt their children while being denied relevant information and medical and emotional help and support (¶735).

Documented coercion mechanisms

• religious shaming of unwed mothers, and pressure to adopt while being denied information and medical and emotional support
• the trust placed in a faith-based institution by families who chose it as a safe place