New Zealand faces a grim reckoning as a landmark report reveals that nearly one in three individuals in state and faith-based care were subjected to abuse between 1950 and 2019. This revelation, stemming from the Royal Commission of Inquiry, has sent shockwaves through the nation, underscoring a systemic failure to protect the most vulnerable.
The Royal Commission, initiated in 2018, stands as the most comprehensive investigation of its kind in New Zealand, encompassing testimonies from over 2,300 survivors. The inquiry’s findings are staggering: approximately 200,000 children and vulnerable adults experienced physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, with the actual number of victims likely higher. This abuse, often perpetrated by caregivers, religious figures, social workers, and medical staff, has left indelible scars on countless lives.
The report, described as a “national disgrace” by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, details heinous acts of violence and neglect. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, including rape, electric shocks, and forced sterilizations, particularly during the 1970s. The abuse was not only widespread but also systematically covered up by civil and faith leaders, who often relocated perpetrators to avoid accountability. Many victims died without ever seeing justice.
The inquiry highlighted the disproportionate impact on the Indigenous Māori community and individuals with disabilities. Māori survivors faced cultural disconnection, leading to further marginalization and, in some cases, gang affiliation and imprisonment. The economic toll of this abuse is estimated to be around NZ$200 billion, reflecting the profound and lasting damage inflicted on survivors and their families.
The report’s release marks a pivotal moment in New Zealand’s history. Survivors, who have long sought justice, were present in the public gallery of parliament as the findings were presented. Frances Tagaloa, who suffered sexual abuse in Catholic institutions from the age of five, emphasized the lifelong struggle for justice. Keith Wiffin, another survivor, described the report’s publication as “monumental,” highlighting the decades-long battle for recognition and redress.
The Royal Commission’s recommendations are extensive, calling for a complete overhaul of the care system. Among the 138 recommendations are the establishment of a Care Safe Agency to prevent and address abuse, mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, and significant government investment in mental health and disability services. The report also urges public apologies from the New Zealand government, the Pope, and other church leaders, alongside renaming streets and facilities named after known perpetrators.
Prime Minister Hipkins acknowledged the nation’s failure, committing to a formal apology on November 12. “This is a dark and sorrowful day in New Zealand’s history,” he stated. “As a society and as a state, we should have done better, and I am determined that we will do so.” The government is now preparing for potentially billions of dollars in compensation claims from survivors, reflecting the magnitude of the abuse and its enduring impact.
The inquiry’s findings have sparked a renewed call for systemic change. Survivors and advocates stress the importance of meaningful action to prevent future abuse and ensure that care institutions are safe and supportive environments. The report’s title, “From Darkness to Light,” encapsulates the survivors’ journey from enduring trauma to seeking justice and reform.
The Royal Commission’s investigation revealed that children at institutions like Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital were subjected to torture, including electric shocks and painful injections as punishment. Such extreme forms of abuse, including mock executions and severe corporal punishment, were alarmingly common. The report also noted the excessive use of institutional care for deaf, disabled, and mentally distressed individuals, many of whom later faced homelessness, addiction, and severe health issues.
The inquiry’s revelations have prompted a national conversation about the care system’s future. Survivors like Tagaloa advocate for transferring the care of children to communities, iwi (tribes), and family networks, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive and supportive environments. “The government is not the best caregiver of our children,” Tagaloa stated, urging religious organizations to apologize and take responsibility for their role in the abuse.
As New Zealand grapples with the report’s findings, there is a collective resolve to learn from this dark chapter and ensure that such widespread abuse never happens again. The Royal Commission’s recommendations provide a roadmap for systemic reform, but the journey towards healing and justice for survivors is far from over. The nation’s commitment to addressing this “national catastrophe” will be crucial in transforming the care system and restoring trust in the institutions meant to protect the most vulnerable.
In the wake of this landmark report, New Zealand stands at a crossroads. Will the nation seize this opportunity to enact meaningful change and truly move from darkness to light?
