Bullying and sex at health camp, says report

By ELEANOR BLACK and NAOMI LARKIN

Children sent to a Government health camp have been bullied, sexually and physically abused by other children and left with behaviour problems, a Herald investigation reveals.

A former staff member at the Princess of Wales Health Camp near Rotorua has accused its management of doing nothing to help children when told by staff of abuse.

The camp staff are said to lack the skills needed to manage disturbed children. One girl who had been referred to the camp after being sexually abused at home was sent to hot pools for "sulphur steam therapy." Her fear and shame were never addressed, the ex-staff member said.

A confidential report written in July by Wellington psychologist Dave Winsborough and obtained by the Herald said children at the camp were not always safe and sometimes went home with new behaviour problems.

An earlier report, by University of Waikato psychology students last November, said children were upset by the bullying and sexual touching that went on - especially at night when there were few staff to monitor the dormitories.

But senior management and staff at the camp and the attached school, Te Kura Hauora, have either denied that any abuse occurred or refused to comment.

The camp, financed by the Health Funding Authority and the Ministry of Education, is one of seven in New Zealand. Last year the authority said the camps were not a priority for finance and there were more effective ways to help children and families at risk.

Health Minister Annette King, then Labour's spokeswoman on health, and the Royal College of General Practitioners defended the camps.

Judy Keaney, commissioner of Te Kura Hauora, said the alleged abuse never happened at the Rotorua camp.

She was supported by head teacher Jo Lyford, who told the Herald the school and camp worked together to make sure children with abusive tendencies were not admitted to the camp.

Sue Wingate, who was camp manager for 18 years until she left in September, refused to comment.

Camp board chairman Wayne Chapman - who also oversees the other six camps - said it was not in the public interest to disclose the Winsborough report.

It was common knowledge that there were "some problems," but considerable progress had been made.

The former staff member said she moved cities and found a new job because she was victimised by senior management for believing the children who came to her with stories of abuse.

Although she did not wish to be named, the woman said she could no longer allow the abuse of children in professional care to continue with nobody being held to account.

The Winsborough report noted a reluctance by staff to talk to the assessment team about the management's lack of cooperation.

"During interviews people discussed their camp experiences in a manner suggesting wariness and a general reluctance to speak out - the tension was palpable ... The management of the camp is characterised by fixed and intractable views and is one where the questioning of the status quo is seen as threatening and is not encouraged."

The report recommended closing the camp until the programme was reorganised and staff changes were made. The camp was closed for term three but reopened for term four. However, it was not clear if there had been any changes.

The school is now threatened with closure after five damning Education Review Office reports in three years claiming financial mismanagement and abusive behaviour by pupils.