Ads
The leader of New Zealand, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, recently made a historic formal apology to survivors of abuse in state and church care. This apology marked a significant moment in the country’s history, acknowledging the pervasive abuse, torture, and neglect that hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable individuals endured while in care.
Luxon’s apology was described as “formal and unreserved,” delivered in Parliament to legislators and a public gallery filled with survivors of the abuse. He expressed deep regret for the atrocities committed against these individuals, stating unequivocally, “And it should never have happened.”
The apology came following the release of a damning report in July, which detailed the extent of the abuse experienced by an estimated 200,000 individuals in state, foster, and faith-based care over a seven-decade period. These individuals, disproportionately made up of Māori, the Indigenous population of New Zealand, suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of authorities who were supposed to protect them.
Luxon acknowledged the government’s responsibility in altering the course of many lives and expressed remorse for the failures of previous administrations. He emphasized that vulnerable individuals should have been treated with respect, dignity, and compassion while in care, but instead, they were subjected to heinous neglect, abuse, and even torture.
The inquiry’s report, which followed a six-year investigation and is considered one of the most comprehensive of its kind worldwide, deemed the findings a “national disgrace.” It highlighted the widespread physical, sexual, verbal, and psychological abuse suffered by nearly one-third of the 650,000 children and vulnerable individuals in care between 1950 and 2019.
The opposition leader, Chris Hipkins, acknowledged that the true number of individuals who experienced abuse may never be known, as many records were either nonexistent, inadequate, or intentionally destroyed. He emphasized the need for meaningful action to address the injustices suffered by survivors and ensure that such atrocities never occur again.
Luxon’s government has committed to addressing 28 of the 138 recommendations outlined in the inquiry’s report. However, concrete plans for financial redress, estimated to be in the billions of dollars, have yet to be finalized. Survivors and advocates criticized the lack of specific compensation plans in conjunction with the apology, calling for swift and decisive action to support those who suffered.
While Luxon pledged to implement a unified redress system by 2025, survivors continue to demand accountability and justice for the trauma they endured. Many survivors who attended the apology in Parliament expressed skepticism about the government’s commitment to fully address the extent of the abuse and provide adequate support for survivors.
Survivors like Tu Chapman and Keith Wiffin shared their personal stories of trauma and resilience, highlighting the long-lasting impact of the abuse on their lives and communities. Chapman emphasized the need for the government to recognize all survivors and provide meaningful support for their healing and recovery.
Luxon’s acknowledgment of the abuse as constituting torture in certain instances marked a significant departure from previous administrations’ denial of such claims. This admission was a step towards acknowledging the severity of the abuse and its lasting effects on survivors.
While Luxon’s apology was a crucial first step towards acknowledging the abuses of the past, survivors and advocates continue to push for concrete actions to address the injustices and ensure accountability for those responsible. The road to healing and reconciliation will be long and challenging, but with meaningful action and support, survivors can begin the process of healing and rebuilding their lives.
