A Landmark Investigation Reveals Shocking Abuse of Children in State and Faith-Based Care in New Zealand
A recent investigation by the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry has uncovered a harrowing truth – some 200,000 children, young people, and vulnerable adults in New Zealand suffered abuse while in state and faith-based care over the last 70 years. This means that almost one in three children in care from 1950 to 2019 experienced some form of abuse, ranging from rape to forced labor.
The commission’s final report, the result of a six-year investigation involving nearly 3,000 individuals, has shed light on the dark and sorrowful history of abuse within New Zealand’s care system. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon issued a public apology for the findings, acknowledging the pain and suffering endured by survivors.
Many of those who were abused came from disadvantaged or marginalized communities, including Māori and Pacific people, as well as individuals with disabilities. The report revealed that abuses and neglect often began from the first day in care, with survivors recounting horrific experiences of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse.
Survivors like Anna Thompson, Jesse Kett, and Moeapulu Frances Tagaloa bravely shared their stories of abuse at the hands of caregivers and religious figures. Their testimonies paint a grim picture of the systemic failures that allowed such atrocities to occur.
The report also highlighted the disproportionate levels of abuse experienced by Māori and Pacific survivors, as well as those in foster care. It described the abuse and neglect as a national disgrace, with far-reaching impacts on the lives of survivors, including increased mental health issues, homelessness, and involvement in crime.
As the government grapples with the aftermath of the report, survivors and advocates are calling for all 138 recommendations included in the report to be implemented. The economic cost of the abuse and neglect has been estimated to be in the billions, underscoring the long-term consequences of failing to protect vulnerable individuals in care.
Despite the pain and trauma endured by survivors, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of acknowledgment and validation. The release of the report has been described as historic, offering survivors a sense of closure and recognition for their courage in coming forward.
Moving forward, Prime Minister Luxon has pledged to do better and ensure that the voices of survivors are heard and believed. While the road to healing and justice may be long, the revelations from the inquiry have sparked a national conversation about accountability and the need for systemic change to prevent such abuses from happening again.
