Appendix 6
Memorandum by Swan Health Service
Reply to the terms of reference for the
inquiry into the welfare of former child migrants (CM 109)I
write to you as a Social Worker with Swan Clinic in Western Australia.
I have been working here at the Clinic for the last 18 months
and it has been over the last eight months that I have come to
learn a great deal about the experiences of Child Migrants in
care in this State and more recently upon reading the book by
Ivor Knight, Out of Darkness (there are other texts including
Margaret Humphreys' Empty Cradles and yet another by Brother
Barry Coldrey, Reaping of the Whirlwind. Apparently Reaping
of the Whirlwind is being held by solicitors Slater and Gordon
and was the result of an internal investigation conducted by the
Christian Brothers and named brothers who were allegedly involved
in the sexual abuse of children). Another book written by Barry
Coldrey is The Scheme which provides a history of orphanages
in this state and a small section which refers to the sexual abuse
of children. The Child Migrant Scheme would have, I believe, been
better described as the Child Slavery Scheme.
Brief overviewI am sure there are some who would
disagree with this but I know that there are a great number and
probably most of the ex-Child Migrants who would agree with the
latter name. Many of these children are now deceased; some because
of so called "accidents" that may have occurred within
the orphanages and others because of various illnesses they may
have sustained during their care. Yet others have passed away
because of suicide or various health problems resulting in early
death. From what I have heard, children housed in orphanages run
by the Christian Brothers in this State were malnourished most
of the time. This would have had major consequences for their
later inabilities to maintain good health. I have been told that
a lot of these children had to steal food from their carers or
others in surrounding communities in order to survive.
How lives were affectedPsychologically the effects
of much of the physical and the sexual abuse as well as neglect
suffered by these children would have been enormous. Symptoms
of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, major depression, anxiety,
are only a few of the many mental health problems these children
would still suffer. Inability to form relationships with significant
others would have been devastatingly affected resulting in marital
break down, alcohol abuse and other social problems. Needless
to say the partners and children of former Child Migrants would
likewise be adversely affected. The toll has been enormous.
RECOMMENDATIONSI believe that the adult survivors
of many of the institutions involved in the Child Migrant Scheme
should have, as their basic right, recourse to natural justice
by having the offenders prosecuted through the due process of
legal action. This has not occurred in many cases and particularly
in this State. We have a Statute of Limitations which seems to
be an obstacle for prosecuting and claiming civil damages. It
has also been said that there has been a lack of corroborative
evidence. This is ridiculous in the case of these children. In
many situations counselling services have been provided to victims
who endured childhood abuse but I feel that in many instances
this, without a recourse to justice, is only further blaming the
victim.Those responsible for the Child Migrant Scheme and the
care of the children involved should be communicating with each
other in order that the best measures possible are employed to
assist former Child Migrants and their families. It is the least
that can be done. Survivors should be given a voice. Those not
involved in legal action, with Slater & Gordon, should be
given legal assistance and also be compensated. Partners and children
of child migrants should be considered for special compensation
and/or welfare assistance, especially with family reunions.
12 February 1998
ENCLOSURES1. Printed testimony of Mr Frederick Wooltorton
Smith—The Dreaded Words—nine years under the
Christian Brothers—The 15 Evil Ones. Detailed history of
Mr Frederick Wooltorton Smith's experiences under the care of
the Christian Brothers in Perth, Western Australia from the time
he left an orphanage in the United Kingdom and travelled to Australia
on the liner SS Austuris on Wednesday, 10 December 1947.
Mr Smith outlines a history of sexual, physical and emotional
abuse, as well as neglect at the hands of the Christian Brothers.
He clearly identifies those in question and begins with his experiences
at Bindoon, Castledare, Clontarf and Tardin Colleges. He gives
an overview of his experiences at these four institutions in Chapter
5 of his Testimony.2. Documented evidence from the Department
of Immigration, Australia House, London, of Mr Frederick Wooltorton
Smith's departure from Nazareth House in Carlisle to Australia.3.
Letter from the Honourable Peter Foss, Attorney General, Minister
for Justice and the Arts, Western Australia. In this letter, Mr
Foss indicates that the Western Australian Government have no
intention of prosecuting the alleged perpetrators.
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