Lake Alice: Apology is an ‘acknowledgement’

Tuesday, 20 February 2024

• Staff from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists have apologised in person to survivors of Lake Alice’s Child and Adolescent Unit.

• The apology follows a Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse at the unit at from 1972 until 1980, which found children were subjected to torture, abuse and neglect.

• The college has acknowledged mistakes and expressed a commitment to ensuring the atrocities never happen again.

Almost three years after they were called on to do so, staff from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists have apologised in person to survivors of Lake Alice.

In an emotional meeting on Tuesday at Wharerata in Palmerston North, more than 100 people gathered to hear the college deliver its apology.

Survivors along with whānau and friends listened intently as the meeting was opened with a waiata and karakia.

There was also an invitation to share tea and scones so people could “come together”.

But one survivor, Robyn Dandy, said they had waited 50 years to hear the college say sorry for the atrocities at Lake Alice.

“Can I just say something? You’re making it all about you.

“We want to hear an apology now.”

The abuse of children at Lake Alice’s Child and Adolescent Unit from 1972-1978 included the misuse of electro-convulsive therapy and seclusion rooms as punishment.

Media were not allowed to film or record the apology, which was delivered by college president Elizabeth Moore.

She told the room she was “deeply sorry” for the abuse that occurred, particularly the torture inflicted by lead psychiatrist Dr Selwyn Leeks.

She said children at Lake Alice should have been safe, and should have been able to trust the people who worked there.

She also acknowledged the many complaints made by young people that were ignored.

“We know many agencies repeatedly failed you. We know our part in this and acknowledge the actions and inactions of previous members that allowed Leeks to escape proper investigation and punishment.

“Your trust was broken.”

She said the college had been vocal since the 1990s about the need for an investigation but in the absence of any findings against Leeks, was unable to do anything.

There was scepticism from some survivors who said the apology was too late.

One woman left the room visibly upset during the apology. She later returned and expressed her distress at ongoing issues with the mental health system.

Ed, who spent “14 years and two months” in Lake Alice, said the apology meant nothing to him.

He was a ward of the state from the age of 9, and at 14 found himself at Lake Alice.

He thought he was going to a family home in Christchurch, but said within half an hour of arriving he was subjected to cruel treatment.

This included ECT, paraldehyde injections and beatings.

He now suffered from mental health and heart issues and constant headaches. He struggled to keep his emotions in check and said the apology had only made him angrier.

“I’m not going to forget … I wasn’t even meant to be there.”

At the age of 26, Ed said he was “kicked out” of Lake Alice with no money or support.

“I was f….. lost. Everything I know, I’ve taught myself.”

Rob Shannon travelled from Christchurch to hear the apology.

He was taken off his parents at the age of 8 or 9 due to behavioural issues, and ended up in Lake Alice for two weeks.

He said it had affected his entire life.

For 20 years he had ignored the abuse, but for the last 25 he had fronted up to it.

He was learning how to cope but said traumatic events usually triggered an emotional response.

It had been almost 50 years and he had “blacked a lot out” of his mind.

He was also medicated and subjected to ECT and solitary confinement.

He came from a loving home and had a “supportive mother”who noticed something was wrong and got him out of there.

Tuesday’s apology was more of an acknowledgement for him and he hoped the Royal Commission’s final report would bring some closure, he said.

“I’m sick of this just going on and on.”

Krys Baker was also sent to Lake Alice as a child because of her behaviour.

She said she had little memory of what happened to her, and it wasn’t until her brother told her about the ECT she began to remember the horrifying abuse.

She had requested her notes but was given two pages. None of the abuse was included and Baker said it felt as though Leeks’ had taken her memories.

Mike Ferriss, the director of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, said it was important for the college to hear what the survivors had to say, even if they didn’t accept the apology.

He said survivors were still “very upset” about what happened to them and felt nothing had been done in a “tangible way” to help.

They had a lack of trust in authorities and “didn’t expect much”.

Ferris said they were still fighting the Government for redress and there were still many people who had not been able to move on.

Moore said the apology was just the start of a longer process and they were committed to listening to the recommendations from the Royal Commission.

Ed, however, had little faith anything further would happen.

“I just want the Government to stop f…… around.

“I want an apology in writing, with their name and signature on it.”

The issue of compensation was also raised, but Ed said even “$80m wouldn’t touch the sides”.