New Zealand Inquiry Reveals 200,000 Abused in Care, Leader Admits Failures

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New Zealand Inquiry Uncovers Widespread Abuse of 200,000 in State and Religious Care New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed deep regret on Wednesday following the release of a public inquiry report revealing that approximately 200,000 children, young people, and vulnerable adults were abused in state and religious care over the past 70 years. The Royal Commission of Inquiry's findings detail a staggering level of mistreatment, with nearly one in three individuals in care between 1950 and 2019 experiencing some form of abuse.

The report’s revelations have potentially significant financial implications for the government, with billions of dollars in compensation claims anticipated. The inquiry, which interviewed over 2,300 survivors, documented severe abuses including rape, forced sterilizations, and electric shocks, particularly prevalent during the 1970s.

The findings highlight that individuals from the Indigenous Maori community and those with mental or physical disabilities were disproportionately affected. The report criticizes civil and religious leaders for their attempts to cover up the abuse, often by relocating perpetrators and denying responsibility. Many victims died before receiving justice.

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Luxon described the report as marking “a dark and sorrowful day in New Zealand’s history,” emphasizing that the nation and its institutions should have acted more effectively. He pledged that the government will make necessary changes and announced that an official apology will be delivered on November 12.

The inquiry has made 138 recommendations, including public apologies from New Zealand’s government, the Pope, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, leaders of the Catholic and Anglican churches, respectively. It also recommends establishing a Care Safe Agency to oversee care institutions and enacting new legislation for mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, even those disclosed during religious confessions.

The report estimated that the average lifetime cost for an abuse survivor was approximately NZ$857,000 (USD $511,200) in 2020, though specific compensation amounts are yet to be determined. Luxon acknowledged that the total compensation owed could amount to billions and stated that discussions with survivor groups about redress are underway.

In addition to individual compensation, the report calls for payments to families who have cared for survivors due to the intergenerational trauma caused by the abuse. It also recommends reviewing previous compensation settlements, including those from the state-run Lake Alice adolescent unit.

Tracey McIntosh, a sociologist at the University of Auckland, emphasized the importance of recognizing and acknowledging the survivors’ experiences and the truth of their lives. The report underscores the need for a comprehensive response to address the historical injustices faced by so many New Zealanders.

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