Mercy Ministries “guilty of false, misleading and deceptive conduct”
December 19, 2009 by admin
Filed under Counselling, Mercy Ministries
Charity sorry over misleading services
By Jo Skinner
Posted Fri Dec 18, 2009
A Christian-based charity on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has admitted it is guilty of false, misleading and deceptive conduct.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says Mercy Ministries has apologised for misrepresenting its services and repaid almost $120,000 to affected women.
The charity ran two homes for young women in need at Glenview on the Sunshine Coast and in Sydney, both have since closed.
ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel says Mercy Ministries advertised its services were free but then asked residents to sign over their Centrelink payments in return.
“We found that misrepresentations were occurring,” he said.
“Firstly as to whether or not the services provided by Mercy Ministries was free when clearly it was not,” he said.
“There was an assignment of Centrelink payments to Mercy Ministries for the duration of the stay of those that used their services.
“Also Mercy Ministries misrepresented that it offered professional support from qualified specialists when in fact that was not the case.”
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/18/2775465.htm?section=australia
What really angers me is that the home was purchased most probably by the founders of the Australian homes Mark and Darlenewho are included in the seven people finally admitting to lying and doing wrong. Do they get the money from the sale of the land/home??? I think it should go to the girls. I am furious that they only get $1,050 when a lot of the girls were in Mercy Ministries between 6 and 12 months. They lost between $5,000 and $10,000 depending on the length of time there!
I found the Sydney home and it’s selling for $2,200,000, should go to the girls…
The link… http://realestate.hillsnews.com.au/overview/994682/139-glenhaven-road-glenhaven-2156/
yeah i agree i was there for over 14 months in 2005 I dont care about my lost centrelink money but the emotional damage they caused me deserves alot more money than $1050!i went there looking for help and left the program way more screwed up than when i went in!and all my friends that were there with me will understand love you girls! love you Naomi!
I was in MM for close to 2 years, I was even sent home for a period of 6 months as I became to physically ill to be an active participant in the program, though was still expected to do phone councilling and tape series whilst away and also while in hospital.
I think Naomi and the other girls who went on TV are very brave. I however still believed that maybe if the staff saw me achieving post mercy I may be eventually considered good enough in their eyes.
Has any Mercy girl recieved a payout and no it is not enough for the lives they distroyed!!!
I know I have regained contact on Facebook with a few of the girls I “served time with”, any others out there I hope you are all healing over time xxx
Hi I was also in MM and while admitting that the claims are true I am also very grateful for Mercy and I found it very beneficial in my healing process. I am sorry for those who did not and I pray that you will receive the support and care that you so rightly deserve.