The Lake Alice Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit: Accountability - The Response to Date

Abstract

In the 1970s Dr Selwyn Leeks, a registered psychiatrist set up a child and adolescent unit in the grounds of Lake Alice Hospital, a New Zealand psychiatric facility. The adolescents were not diagnosed as having mental disorders but were placed there for behavioural issues. They were controlled by "aversion therapy" and subjected to electroconvulsive therapy treatment, paraldehyde injections and other forms of abuse. A number of complaints followed, which led to Government inquiries and reports. In 1999 a class action was commenced which was settled by the Government making "ex gratia" payments and issuing apologies. Dr Leeks relocated to Australia and continued to practise. He was the subject of complaints and proceedings. In 2006 he surrendered his practising certificate. The New Zealand Police have declined to prosecute Dr Leeks. A complaint was taken to the United Nations Committee Against Torture. This was upheld in 2019.