On 7 December 2010, the Salvation Army issued a national apology to former residents of its children’s homes in Australia who experienced abuse of any sort. The apology covered the period up until the early 1990s, according to the Salvation Army’s press release. The apology was made by General Shaw Clifton, the international leader of the Salvation Army. General Clifton was unable to attend personally due to health concerns. The apology was delivered on the General’s behalf by Commissioner Barry Swanson, Chief of the Staff, who travelled from London to Canberra for the event.
General Shaw Clifton acknowledged the role of Jim Luthy, president of the Care Leavers Australia Network (CLAN) ‘for having the courage to write’ to him and to initiate the idea of the Apology. He also thanked CLAN for support in working towards the day of the Apology.
Jim Luthy made a personal written response to the Apology as he was required to issue an official response before actually hearing it.