Child abuse royal commission in Adelaide

Sky News
October 6, 2015

http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/2015/10/06/child-abuse-royal-commission-in-adelaide.html

The royal commission into child sexual abuse in Adelaide has heard over 20 perpetrators have been identified at Salvation Army run homes.

Counsel assisting Sophie David says over the two weeks of hearings, survivors will give evidence that child sex abuse was widespread, unchecked and flourished over a long period of time.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse will examine four homes operated by the Salvation Army from 1940 to 1980 - Eden Park Boys' Home in South Australia, Box Hill and Bayswater Boys' homes in Victoria and a home at Nedlands in Western Australia.

In a detailed opening address, Ms David said 20 perpetrators had been identified at homes run by the Salvation Army.

She said the commission will hear testimony from survivors, but will also consider the Salvation Army's response to the abuse.

First to be heard will be Graham Rundle, 63, who was taken to Eden Park, in the Adelaide Hills, by his father when he was seven years old.

Within two months of his arrival he was abused by older boys and when he told employee William Ellis, Ellis then abused him.

'Mr Rundle will also describe the terrible conditions in which he lived at the home and the physical punishments he endured,' Ms David said.

In 2004, Mr Rundle gave a statement to police about Ellis who was subsequently convicted on child sex charges involving Mr Rundle and three other boys.

The commission is continuing.