January 2014 public hearing

The four boys homes the Royal Commission will focus on are

1. Alkira Salvation Army Home for Boys, Indoooroopilly, Queensland
2. Riverview Training Farm (known as Endeavour Training Farm), Riverview, Queensland
3. Bexley Boys' Home, Bexley, New South Wales
4. Gill Memorial Home, Goulburn, New South Wales

The Royal Commission have stated they will consider the way that The Salvation Army managed any allegations of abuse which came to its attention at that time.

The Commission states "The hearing will also examine The Salvation Army's processes in investigating, disciplining, removing and transferring anyone accused of or found to have engaged in, child sexual abuse in these homes."

The Salvation Army feels deep sorrow for every instance of child sexual abuse inflicted on children in our care. We are grieved that such things happened. We acknowledge that it was a failure of the greatest magnitude and apologise to all who were harmed.

The early phase of the hearing will be a time for former residents to share their experiences with The Royal Commission. It is our role to listen.

Representatives of The Salvation Army will appear before The Royal Commission to answer questions about the way The Salvation Army responded to allegations of sexual abuse in the homes. 

Child protection policies

Today's Salvation Army has strong policies and procedures to protect children and ensures the protection of children is the most serious of our obligations.

We continue to improve our processes so that children will never be placed in situations like this again and welcome the recommendations from The Royal Commission on how we can further protect children in our care.