For new readers you can follow the start of the latest Mercy Ministries debacle in my posts here, here and here. For those with a bit of time on your hands click the link at the bottom of this post to read about the 2 year long struggle against this rather dubious biblical ministry.
The News
I have been contacted by one of the women involved in trying to gain access to their files, who herself has been in contact with the privacy commissioner. She reports that:
- Mercy appears to have a new legal firm, one that is more cooperative and understands the privacy act
- That Mercy will be willing to forward complete files to qualified psychologists/psychiatrists
- That no other files will be destroyed but rather archived in accordance with the law
What a sad fact that a group that purported to act in the best interests of their clients has to be hauled kicking and screaming to do that, which on the face of it, seems the obvious ethical and moral direction to take.
What is this Mercy Ministries all about Click here to view more details?
Related posts:
- Privacy Commissioner to make inquiries into Mercy Ministries refusal This email was forwarded to me, by an ex-mercy member...
- Mercy Ministries and Privacy Commissioner Investigations Update In the post we learnt that the Privacy Commissioner had...
- Mercy Ministries Australia to destroy client files I received this letter from a ex-Mercy client yesterday. It...
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Awesome news, Sean. Congrats (by the way, they're holding a number of major fundraisers for their sex-trafficking "ministry" now).
John
I'd be pretty sure this mob enjoyed a tax free staus for the duration of their Australian operations. If they end up facing charges, perhaps this should be investigated also. Really, can an organisation that allegedly operated a supposedly charitable service, utilising illegal practices be afforded the luxury of a tax free status? If so, it means ALL Australian tax payers (ie all of us) will end up paying for this horrible mess. This whole tax exempt thing for the rligiously inclined needs to be sorted out. Also, why is the catholic church responsible (ha ha) for sorting out the pedophile mess they're in, when laws, lots of laws in many different countries hav been demonstratebly broken?
If MM Australia's tax status was an issue in light of the scandal, i doubt it would be reviewed let alone corrected due to the fact that MM Aus are in administration. I believe the Company would be liable in this case, and if the Company is finished, the Tax Office (after a long period of investigation given they are government) would just have to join the queue. After the money and time it would cost to review that, and the likelihood of them getting nothing back, i doubt it would happen at all.
Does anyone actually know who can be contacted for the retrieval of these files?
My suggestion would be to email someone at Mercy survivors.
Hmm, I've posted a comment on their site in relation to a similar story but have not had a reply. I'd prefer not to reveal my identity to anyone if I can help it (which is exactly what providing my email address will do), hence why I'm asking this in a public forum.
I believe the last official officer for Mercy was Adrian Feben who's Facebook page is here http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000000102... You might also contact the Privacy Commissioner directly.