New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon formally apologized before Parliament on Tuesday for decades of abuse in state and faith-based care. During the live-streamed session, Luxon extended a “formal and unreserved apology” to survivors and their families. The prime minister noted his apology was “on behalf of the government to everyone who suffered abuse, harm, and neglect while in care.”
Luxon acknowledged the strength and bravery of survivors for coming forward and sharing their experiences and expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring their stories translate to tangible reform in the state care system. “I am sorry you were not believed when you came forward to report your abuse,” he said. “I am sorry many bystanders – staff, volunteers and carers – turned a blind eye and failed to stop or report abuse.” Luxon expressed remorse over findings that deaf and disabled persons, and those of Māori and Pasifika background, were disproportionately impacted by abuse and neglect in care.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care began its investigation in 2018 into systemic failures of state systems to protect persons from abuse and neglect between 1950 and 1999. The Inquiry has been described as “the largest, longest and most complex public inquiry ever undertaken in New Zealand.” The Royal Commission’s Report — “Whanaketia: through pain and trauma, from darkness to light” — was presented to Parliament on July 24.
Luxon spoke in Parliament at the time, expressing the government’s commitment to its care and protection responsibilities. He acknowledged that some survivors of the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit in the 1970s were tortured as defined in the United Nations Convention Against Torture. Patients at Lake Alice were administered cruel and punishing treatments such as electric shocks without anesthetic for no medical reason.
The report drew on the experiences of nearly 3000 survivors and culminated in 138 recommendations. Luxon confirmed that the government is in the process of considering the commission’s 138 recommendations. Among those actioned so far is a national apology from the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives as well as from senior leaders from faith-based institutions and ministry chief executives.
Seven chief executives also apologized in Parliament for the failings and omissions of their respective agencies. Offering her “deepest apology.” Director General of Health Diana Sarfati said:
You were denied basic care, dignity and privacy. Sexual, physical, medical and emotional abuse occurred in health settings. In disability and mental health institutions, abortion, sterilisation, and contraception were provided without consent. Seclusion and restraint were used inappropriately and as a means to contain, control, and punish behaviour. Many of you experienced multiple types of abuse. In some instances this so-called treatment was so abhorrent that the United Nations and the government have recognised it as torture. This abuse was perpetrated by people in positions of authority that survivors should have been able to trust including carers and health workers.
As part of the government’s ongoing redress, it intends to introduce the Responding to Abuse in Care Legislation Amendment Bill, which is now at its first reading. The bill will amend a range of supporting acts, such as by including disability in the definition of a vulnerable adult under the Crimes Act. Amendments are also proposed to improve record-keeping in government agencies and impose stricter workforce restrictions on those who work with children.
Survivors can continue to direct claims to the Historic Abuse Resolution Service that deals with claims of abuse in state-run psychiatric facilities and psychopaedic hospitals before July 1, 1993. Luxon announced the government’s investment of $32 million to increase capacity and the intention to implement a streamlined redress system next year. In the meantime, financial redress will continue.
