Captain Lawrence Wilson

Captain Lawrence Wilson was recognised by the Salvation Army of Australia as one of its worst offenders of physical and child sexual abuse against children. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Case Study No. 5, The Salvation Army boys’ homes, Australia Eastern Territory, heard from the Salvation Army and from many victims themselves, the extent of Captain Wilson’s abuse at the institutions he worked/served at. In short, Captain Wilson was accused of sexually and physically abusing 17 boys at four institutions run by the Salvation Army between 1957 to 1974. They include the following:

  • Riverview Training Farm (QLD) ;

  • Gill Memorial Home (NSW);

  • Alkira Salvation Army Home for Boys, Indooroopilly (QLD); and

  • Bexley Boys’ Home (NSW)).

After scrutinising the Salvation Army and Captain Wilson’s behaviour, the Royal Commission concluded the following findings:

  • Captain Lawrence Wilson frequently used cruel and excessive physical punishment against the boys under his care at Riverview, Gill, Indooroopilly and Bexley Boys’ Homes;

  • The Salvation Army accepted that Captain Lawrence Wilson sexually abused four victims who made submissions to the Royal Commission;

  • From 1957 to 1975, The Salvation Army did not keep records of Captain Lawrence Wilson’s performance as an officer, including of any allegations against him of child sexual abuse and whether or how they were resolved;

  • The Salvation Army did not investigate allegations against Captain Lawrence Wilson in relation to Gill Memorial Home;

  • In 1974 and 1975, senior officers of The Salvation Army at divisional and territorial headquarters were informed of allegations of inappropriate medical examinations which involved sexualised conduct and which Captain Lawrence Wilson carried out. They did not investigate those allegations and no action was taken against Captain Lawrence Wilson; and

  • During Captain Lawrence Wilson’s service as an officer, The Salvation Army did not take any disciplinary action against him for the sexual or physical abuse of boys that occurred at Riverview, Gill, and Indooroopilly boys’ homes.

Lawrence Wilson resigned from The Salvation Army in September 1982, having never been the subject of any disciplinary action by the Salvation Army for the sexual or physical abuse of children. Furthermore, between 1996 and 1998, charges were laid by NSW Police against Wilson in relation to the sexual abuse of five boys while at Bexley Boys’ Home and Gill Memorial Home. However, in 2000, Wilson was acquitted of all charges.

Moody Law is currently representing victims of child sexual abuse by members or employees of the Salvation Army.

We invite former victims to tell us confidentially what information they may have, and we will explain what options are available to help with these cases.

Call us or complete the confidential enquiry form below.