U.S. television host Oprah Winfrey said Monday that the abuse scandal involving her girls school in South Africa has been devastating.

"This has been one of the most devastating, if not the most devastating experiences of my life, " Winfrey said. "But like all such experiences, there is always much to be gained and I think a lot to be learned. ... We are moving forward to create a safe and open and receptive environment for the girls and I am also very grateful to their parents and guardians and caretakers for their continued trust and their support in me and also in the school.

"What I know is that no one -- not the accused or any other persons -- can destroy the dream I have held and the dream that each girl continues to hold."

Winfrey praised the way the police in South Africa handled their investigation of abuse claims.

A former matron at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls was arrested last week for allegedly physically abusing girls at the school and soliciting some of the pupils for indecent acts.  // Copyright 2007 by United Press International




Publication date: 05 November 2007   

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