Church of England accused of 'burying bad news' over timing of abuse report, by Martin Evans, Telegraph (July 14, 2016)

Church of England accused of 'burying bad news' over timing of abuse report

By Martin Evans
Telegraph
July 14, 2016

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/13/church-of-england-accused-of-burying-bad-news-over-timing-of-abu/

Former children's home, Kendall House in Gravesend has since been converted into flats

The Church of England has been accused of attempting to “bury bad news” after publishing a damning report into abuse at a children’s home on the same day the new Prime Minister was appointed.

An independent review into activities in Kendall House in Gravesend, Kent described how vulnerable girls were regularly drugged, raped and physically abused for almost 20-years between 1967 and 1986.

But critics said the publication of the findings should have been delayed until after the momentous events as Westminster had calmed down.

The review, which was ordered by the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev James Langstaff, disclosed how girls as young as 11 were routinely, and often without medical assessment, given powerful anti-depressants, sedatives and anti-psychotic drugs.

Those that resisted, challenged or overcame the drugs' effects faced sanctions, including being locked alone in a room for days on end or emotionally abused.

Others told how they were raped after being imprisoned in an isolation room and locked in alone overnight.

The review said: “The findings are harrowing. They reveal an institution which had weak governance and oversight, a place where control, containment and sometimes cruelty were normalised.

“A place where vulnerable girls, many previously and repeatedly let down by their parents, social services and other agencies, were caught in a regime that in many ways sought to rob them of their individuality, of hope, and in some cases of their liberty."

It added: “The evidence we have heard and read during this review tells of a place which was, on the whole, toxic and constructive to the girls placed there.”

But critics said the decision to publish yesterday was insensitive to the victims.

A spokesman for the Bishop of Rochester defending the timing of the report insisting it was too important to have delayed it any further.

The spokesman added: “We were mindful of the impact the Brexit vote may have on the news agenda, and factored in the media interest in the Chilcott report.

“Had we not gone ahead with the planned press conference, other diary commitments would have meant a delay until September. We felt that this was too important to delay.”

But Keith Porteous Wood of the National Secular Society said: “Only the naive will believe this not an attempt to bury bad news, especially as the Church has form on this.”

He went on: “Church’s concern remains protecting its reputation and pocket, rather than the many victims whose lives have been ruined.”

Gabrielle Shaw, CEO of NAPAC said the timing of the report was “not ideal” but welcomed the fact the findings were finally in the public domain.

The home was run by the “authoritarian” Doris Law, while the medical advisor, who administered drugs, was consultant psychiatrist, Dr Perinpanayagam.

Both have since died and none of those who were accused of carrying out the abuse are still alive.

Opened in the 1920s, Kendall House was a home for vulnerable girls aged from 11 to 16 who were mainly placed there by their local authority. It closed in 1986.

Since 2006, pressure has mounted on the Church to examine the slew of claims of abuse and mistreatment from former residents of the now-defunct home.

Then last year Mr Langstaff set up the review, chaired by Professor Sue Proctor, who led the inquiry into Jimmy Savile's reign of abuse at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

Prof Proctor described the Church's initial response to allegations about Kendall House as "woeful" and inadequate". And she said the administration of powerful drugs appeared to have an "experimental approach".

She described the commissioning of the review as overdue. And she said that for the vulnerable girls, Kendall House was a "frightening, violent and unpredictable" place.

Mr Langstaff said the diocese "apologised unreservedly" for the suffering caused.

David Greenwood, a solicitor who has represented 15 Kendall House survivors, said: "Many of the ladies I have represented have suffered poor quality lives as a result of this treatment.

"Many have been sexually assaulted and most were physically abused. It was only when the Home Office inspectors advised the church to alter the way they deal with drugs that this treatment was brought to an end."