New Zealand Inquiry Reveals Shocking Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults, Exposing National Disgrace

An independent inquiry in New Zealand has uncovered widespread abuse of children and vulnerable adults in state, foster, and religious care, with an estimated 200,000 people suffering abuse over seven decades. The inquiry has found that government agencies and churches failed to prevent or acknowledge the abuse, despite being aware of it, leading to a "national disgrace" and demands for accountability and redress.

New Zealand's independent inquiry into the abuse of children and vulnerable adults in care over a period of five decades has released a damning report, revealing the shocking extent of abuse and the systemic failures that allowed it to continue unchecked.

The Royal Commission, the highest level of inquiry in New Zealand, found that an estimated 200,000 people were abused between 1950 and 2019 in state, foster, and faith-based care. Of the 650,000 children and vulnerable adults in care during that period, nearly a third endured physical, sexual, verbal, or psychological abuse, and many more were exploited or neglected.

New Zealand Inquiry Reveals Shocking Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults, Exposing National Disgrace

The report concluded that state agencies and churches "failed to prevent, stop or admit to the abuse of those they were supposed to look after," even when they were aware of it. These institutions were plagued by lax scrutiny and a culture of cover-ups, with predators rarely facing repercussions.

The inquiry found that in some instances, the abuse amounted to torture, particularly in the infamous state-run Lake Alice psychiatric hospital. The government acknowledged this historical mistreatment and pledged an apology to all those abused in state, foster, and religious care since 1950.

New Zealand Inquiry Reveals Shocking Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults, Exposing National Disgrace

The inquiry's findings have been met with outrage and demands for justice. The government has agreed to consider compensation, which is expected to run into the billions of dollars, and to establish dedicated offices to prosecute abusers and enact redress. The inquiry also recommended renaming streets and monuments dedicated to abusers, reforming child welfare laws, and searching for unmarked graves at psychiatric facilities.

The inquiry's report identified specific institutions and individuals who were responsible for the abuse and cover-ups. The Catholic Church was singled out as failing to address or prevent abuse, with up to 42% of those in faith-based care experiencing abuse. The inquiry urged an investigation into priests from a specific Catholic order who were sent to Papua New Guinea to evade accusations of abuse in Australia and New Zealand.

The inquiry's recommendations also emphasized the need for apologies from state and church leaders, including Pope Francis, for disbelieving survivors' accounts for decades. The report underscored the profound impact of abuse on survivors, with each victim incurring an average lifetime cost of $508,000, most of which is attributed to pain, suffering, and lost opportunities.

Survivors and advocates have expressed a sense of urgency, demanding swift action on redress and accountability. Tu Chapman, a survivor and advocate, emphasized the need for immediate implementation of a redress system to demonstrate the government's commitment to addressing the findings.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged the shock and sorrow that the findings have caused, promising that the government now hears and believes survivors. He apologized for the past failures to protect children and stated that a formal apology to survivors would be made on November 12.

The inquiry's harrowing findings have exposed a deep and systemic problem in New Zealand's care system, revealing a tragic history of abuse, neglect, and betrayal. The government and institutions involved have been charged with addressing this legacy and ensuring that such atrocities are never allowed to happen again.