More abuse claims surface against orphanage head

More former residents at Wellington's Berhampore Children's Home have alleged they were abused by the home's head of social services, Walter Lake.

Shona Brown, 49, and her brothers Michael, 44, and Ross, 46, said on Monday they were victims of Mr Lake's sexual and physical abuse for several years.

"He ruined my childhood," Miss Brown said. "It was bad enough being an orphan and not having parents, let alone being abused by him."

At least 14 former residents went to police last year with claims they were sexually abused in the 1950s and 1960s by Mr Lake, who was made an OBE for social services in 1986. He died in November, aged 84, just as police were to charge him.

Their claims were largely ignored by Presbyterian Support, which ran the home, until Sunday, when the agency said it would meet complainants to discuss compensation.

It had earlier said it was not liable and would not deal with any complainant who hired a lawyer or went public.

Miss Brown and her brothers were sent to the orphanage in 1966 after their mother died of cancer and their father left New Zealand.

Queensland-based Miss Brown thought she was the only one sexually abused, until she read an article this month that revealed others' claims.

"I had no idea he was doing it to the little ones, too," she said. "No one talked about it. I thought it was just me."

She was sent to the home when she was 9. She cannot remember when the abuse started, but said Mr Lake sexually assaulted her frequently, usually in his car. He would touch her genitals and follow her around the home trying to touch her breasts.

Her brothers said they would never forget the horrendous beatings by Mr Lake, which often drew blood. The most memorable for Cromwell-based Michael Brown was a punishment for taking apples from a tree.

"He used a dog collar with spikes all over it and I couldn't sit for a week after that. I was only about 7."

Ross Brown, now in Dunedin, said the damage done had taken years to mend. Miss Brown was still being treated for serious depression.

The siblings have welcomed Presbyterian Support's about-face and are considering lodging their complaints.

Michael Brown said he planned to "go for it" in terms of compensation.

"They ruined my childhood. I was there for six years. It's a long time. I deserve something for that."

- NZPA