'National disgrace': Thousands under care abused in New Zealand

By Anadolu staff

Thousands of people under care were abused in New Zealand during the last seven decades which the Royal Commission of Inquiry called "national disgrace."

The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry in its 3000-page final report revealed that at least 200,000 people have been abused, and even more neglected, by the state and faith-based institutions since 1950, RNZ reported.

"Instead of receiving care and support, children, young people and adults in care were exposed to unimaginable physical, emotional, mental and sexual abuse, severe exploitation and neglect. Abuse and neglect were widespread ... in state and faith-based care institutions," the commissioners said in the report.

"It is a national disgrace that hundreds of thousands of children, young people and adults were abused and neglected in the care of the State and faith-based institutions."

Commissioners Judge Coral Shaw, Dr. Andrew Erueti and Paul Gibson also called for widespread law reform, an overhaul of the country's care system, and urgent implementation of its recommended redress scheme.

The commission made 138 recommendations, proposed the establishment of a specialist investigation unit, an independent Care Safe Agency to oversee the care system, and a Care System Office that would later become Ministry for the Care System.

"Of the estimated 655,000 children, young people and adults in care from 1950 to 2019, it is estimated that 200,000 were abused and even more were neglected," according to the report.

The commission in its report also called for public apologies and accountability from the prime minister and faith leaders.

"Today Parliament accepted, with deep sorrow and regret," said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon regarding the report.

"To survivors... I cannot take away your pain, but I can tell you this: you are heard and you are believed," Luxon said on X.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid