How Could You? Hall of Shame-NZ Ivan Chambers

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Foxton, New Zealand, ex-social worker Ivan Chambers, 68, was denied an appeal to his 2011 conviction. He was found found guilty on eight charges of “indecently assaulting” six boys, all under age 16, from “1979 and 1983 at Epuni Boys’ Home where Chambers was a residential social worker.”

“Complaints from the boys involved included details of him fondling their genitals. In one instance, a boy said he was patted down by Chambers who then put his hands inside his shorts.

Chambers was convicted in April last year and sentenced in May but he did not file his appeal until September.

He has continued to maintain his innocence, and gave his age, of 68 at the time, and “serious health issues” as reasons for seeking bail, as well as the lengthy wait for an Appeal Court hearing.”

“Through his lawyer, Chambers alleged he had been subjected to prejudice at his trial and that his sentencing was excessive.

In his ruling, Justice Wild said Chambers had not suffered prejudice during his trial and that the sentence handed down was “entirely appropriate”.

“What [Chambers’ lawyer’s] submission overlooks is that the judge was sentencing Mr Chambers for eight indecent assaults on six different boys.

“Indeed, we view it as a lenient and merciful sentence. In no way was it inappropriate or manifestly excessive,” said Justice Wild.”
Ex-social worker’s indecent assault appeal dismissed
[New Zealand Herald 3/5/12 by Abbie Gillies]

2011 media

“One of the victims spoke at Chambers’ sentencing in Wellington District Court yesterday, saying he was thankful it was finally over.

“No sentence can compensate for the damage you caused me,” he told Chambers. He said Chambers was a sick man and he doubted he could ever be cured. “You are as ignorant and deceitful today as you were 29 years ago.”

In sentencing Chambers, Judge John MacDonald said that despite the assaults being at the less serious end of the scale, they had had a profound impact on his victims.

Chambers, who was a residential social worker, touched and fondled the boys, often under the guise of searching them.

Judge MacDonald said the Epuni home appeared to have been a hostile place, with survival of the fittest as the rule.

All the boys were lumped together, in a punitive, unhappy place. “Newcomers were put in a security unit for a couple of days, which struck me as grim.”

Some were stripped naked and painted with a chemical to treat scabies, which would have been humiliating.

Despite some former staff likening Epuni to a boarding school, Judge MacDonald said the frequent escapes attested to the sort of place it was.

Chambers had continued to maintain his innocence, saying the stories were untrue and had been made up to bolster a civil claim for damages from the Crown for the effects of abuse, the judge said.

The six victims felt trapped at Epuni and were vulnerable. Their care had been entrusted to Chambers, who used his position to manipulate situations to gain access to his victims. ”

Jail for social worker who abused boys
[Stuff 5/28/11]

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