AUSTRALIA
The Guardian (UK)
Australian Associated Press
Monday 12 September 2016
Widespread child sexual abuse in Salvation Army homes across three states often went unreported because the victims didn’t think they would be believed, a royal commission has found.
The commission has also criticised the church for failing to take action when children did come forward, entrenching a culture in which staff and officers were able to continue to offend.
“In many instances, where knowledge of physical or sexual abuse was brought to the attention of the Salvation Army, it failed to follow its own orders and regulations,” the commission said in its report released on Monday.
And, in some cases, children who complained about their treatment were threatened with physical harm.
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