SECOND PUBLIC HEARING INTO THE SALVATION ARMY TO COMMENCE MONDAY 24 MARCH 2014

Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
March 10, 2014

http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/second-public-hearing-into-the-salvation-army-to-commence-monday-24-march-2014/

The public hearing will inquire into the handling by The Salvation Army (Eastern Territory) of claims of child sexual abuse between 1993 and 2014. The hearing – the tenth since the Royal Commission was established – is scheduled to run for up to two weeks. Royal Commission CEO, Ms Janette Dines, says the scope and purpose of the public hearing is to inquire into:

1. The policies, practices and procedures of The Salvation Army (Eastern Territory), between 1993 and 2014, for responding to claims of child sexual abuse at children’s homes it operated.
2. The application and adequacy of these policies, practices and procedures between 1993 and 2014.
3. The experience of people who made complaints to The Salvation Army (Eastern Territory) between 1993 and 2014.
4. The policies, practices and procedures between 1990 and 2014 concerning the disciplining of officers of The Salvation Army (Eastern Territory) who were the subject of allegations of child sexual abuse.

Anyone who made a claim or complaint about child sexual abuse to The Salvation Army (Eastern Territory) between 1993 and 2014 is encouraged to come forward.

“Every experience will help to inform the Royal Commission as to how The Salvation Army handled claims and complaints during this period and the effectiveness of the policies and procedures they had in place.

“Any information that is shared with the Royal Commission is kept absolutely confidential. We do not share any information without permission,” Ms Dines said.

The venue for the public hearing will be Level 17, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney.

Any person or institution who believes that they have a direct and substantial interest in the Scope and Purpose of the public hearing is invited to lodge a written application for leave to appear at the public hearing by Monday, 10 March 2014.

Applications for leave to appear should be made using the form available on the Royal Commission website entitled ‘Application for Leave to Appear at the Royal Commission’ and include a short submission setting out the basis on which it is said the applicant has a direct and substantial interest in appearing.

The form and the submission should be lodged with the Royal Commission via: Email: solicitor@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au; or Mail: GPO Box 5283, Sydney NSW 2001

For more information on lodging your submission call 02 8282 3824 or email solicitor@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au The public hearing will be streamed live to the public via the webcast webpage.

Interested individuals and organisations are encouraged to view the proceedings via the webcast.