Children, 4, Punched at Salvos Home: Inquiry

Newcastle Herald
January 29, 2014

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2054921/children-4-punched-at-salvos-home-inquiry/?cs=391

BOYS as young as four were punched and others were subjected to public floggings at two Salvation Army homes in Queensland, an inquiry has been told.

Wally McLeod, a resident at Indooroopilly Boys Home and Riverview Training Farm from 1960 to 1966, told the national royal commission into child sexual abuse he saw Captain Victor Bennett grab children as young as four and punch them.

This happened at the Indooroopilly home, later named Alkira, when Mr McLeod was sent there, aged 12, he said yesterday, the second day of a public hearing in Sydney.

The commission is examining the responses of the Eastern Territory of the Salvation Army and relevant government agencies to child abuse at four homes – the two in Queensland and two in NSW.

Mr McLeod said the  children ‘‘cried and screamed’’ when he grabbed them by their shirts and struck them on the head and shoulders.

Mr Bennett, now dead, was one of five Salvation Army officers and home managers about whom the commission received many allegations.

Boys were told there was going to be a parade in the recreation room and were made to remove their pants and underpants and be called up for a flogging, with either a strap or cane.

Mr McLeod told how Mr Bennett liked to use a cane with split ends. He said he was never sexually assaulted.