New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addressed the nation with solemn regret following a damning inquiry revealing that nearly 200,000 children, young people, and vulnerable adults suffered abuse while in state and religious care over the past seven decades. The report disclosed that almost one in three individuals in care from 1950 to 2019 endured various forms of mistreatment, potentially setting the stage for substantial compensation claims against the government.
“This is a dark and sorrowful day in New Zealand’s history. As a society and a state, we failed these individuals, and I am committed to ensuring we do better,” Luxon stated during a press conference.
Luxon announced that an official apology is scheduled for November 12, acknowledging the profound impact on survivors and their families. The report’s findings prompted emotional scenes in Parliament, where survivors and supporters gathered to witness the proceedings, with many moved to sing a poignant Indigenous Maori song of unity and love.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry interviewed over 2,300 survivors, documenting widespread abuses such as rape, sterilization, and electric shocks, particularly rampant in the 1970s. The report highlighted vulnerabilities among the Indigenous Maori community and individuals with disabilities, underscoring systemic failures in protection and accountability.
In response to the inquiry’s 138 recommendations, including public apologies from governmental and religious leaders, the Catholic Church of New Zealand affirmed its commitment to reviewing the findings and taking necessary actions. Meanwhile, discussions are underway regarding potential compensation, which Luxon acknowledged could amount to billions of dollars.
The report also calls for the establishment of a Care Safe Agency to oversee the care industry and proposes new legislation for mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, even within religious confessions, signaling a critical shift in safeguarding vulnerable individuals in New Zealand’s care system.Top of Form
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