At least three former residents of the Goodwood orphanage in Adelaide say they have been refused counselling and compensation from the Catholic Church over incidents of child abuse. The alleged abuse dates back to the 1940s.
The Catholic Church acknowledges that many former residents were physically, sexually and mentally abused at the Goodwood orphanage and have recently established a response program offering counselling for victims.
Lawyer Peter Humphries says the program has been denied to three of the 30 former residents he represents.
One of the three, Dorothy Brown, told ABC1's Stateline that she received a letter saying the Church accepts the truth of her statements, but that most of her complaints can not be substantiated.
"To me, they're calling me a liar and that's very very hurtful," she said.
In a statement to the ABC, the Catholic Church says the assessment of all complaints is carried out by an independent barrister and not by the Church.
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(Source: ABC)