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A quarter of a million New Zealanders detained in the state suffered some form of abuse, historical research has found, and the true number is believed to be higher.
The royal commission on abuse in state care is investigating the historical abuse of children, young adults, and vulnerable adults by state institutions between 1950 and 1999, as well as in affiliated religious institutions, such as church-run orphanages.
It is the largest and most complex royal commission ever conducted in New Zealand, and has been plagued with problems since its inception, including the resignation of its chairman, Sir Anand Satyanand, in its early days.
On Wednesday the commission published its interim report, which found that up to 250,000 people suffered abuse during the period under investigation. A total of 655,000 passed through the doors of orphanages, homes for people with disabilities and mental health institutions, among others, during the same period.
So far, 1,900 survivors of abuse have contacted the commission and expect thousands more to do so, describing the extent of abuse in state attention as “significant” and more than originally thought.
The commission was announced in early 2018 by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who said the abuse of children by government institutions was “inconceivable.” “This is an opportunity to confront our history and make sure we don’t make the same mistakes again. It is a significant step towards recognizing and learning from the experiences of those who have been abused in state care.
Those most frequently abused by the state were the “most disadvantaged or marginalized segments of the community in society … especially the Maori.” whanau [family], Pacific families, children from impoverished backgrounds, disabled people and women and girls ”.
Survivor Annasophia Calman told the commission, “The abuse I suffered during care has tainted my entire life.”
Another, Mike Ledingham, said in a presentation: “There is no water under the bridge.
“The pain is still there. The bishop talked about closure, but how can you have closure when you wake up having a nightmare?
The report found that many children were driven from their homes due to poverty-related issues, but were returned from state care to their severely traumatized families.
Maori were overrepresented in the number of children entering state care and in the number of those who suffered abuse, and the “discriminatory attitudes” of officials contributed to this, according to the report.
People with disabilities were also overrepresented in state abuse and care statistics, he said.
Physical and sexual abuse was the most common type of abuse reported to the commission, but the abuse also included the use of drugs and medical acts. [electro-convulsive therapy] such as punishment, unjustified solitary confinement and isolation, nude searches and inadequate vaginal examinations, verbal abuse, racial insults and “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment”, as well as general neglect.
Those who complained were silenced or mistreated again as punishment, and the commission also found active cover-up attempts.
Contributing factors included a lack of vetting of staff and poor training and supervision of those in positions of authority.
The report said it needs to be read and digested in light of the continuing instances of abuse in today’s care, including the fact that Maori children continue to be over-represented in the state care system, accounting for 69% of children. in state care, and 81% of children abused in care, despite representing only 16% of New Zealand’s 5 million population.
Glenis Philip-Barbara, Maori Assistant Commissioner for Children, said the “devastating” findings reinforced the call for the gradual closure of the large care and protection residences and the eventual abolition of the four juvenile justice detention centers.
“It would be a mistake to think that what happened in the past does not continue to happen today,” said Philip-Barbara.
“Large residential institutions run the risk of causing more harm than good to children … the magnitude of harm inflicted on children and others in the care of organizations that were supposed to take care of them is shocking, but can still underestimate the full extent of damage. “
Chris Hipkins, the minister of public service, said the report was “difficult to read.”
“The report … shows the enormity of abuse and trauma that has occurred. The pain and anguish that has been caused in New Zealand history is unforgivable, ”said Hipkin.
“Survivors have told us that it is difficult for them to navigate the different redress processes operated by state agencies, and we are exploring whether a single point of entry for historical claims is possible.”
The economic cost of abuse at the individual level has been estimated at more than NZ $ 800,000 (£ 420,000) per person, and the commission found that there had been “more abuse than previously thought” and that the true cost would never be known, due to to gaps in official data and records, as well as to the reluctance of survivors to come forward.
The total cost of abuse to society and individuals between 1950 and 2019 was NZ $ 217 billion, the commission found.
In previous governments, complaints by persons in state care about abuse were handled by the Ministry of Social Development, an arrangement that the Human Rights Commission criticized as lacking independence and being “humiliating and protracted” for survivors.
