The Abuse in Care - Royal Commission of Inquiry reported to the Governor-General in June 2024 and its findings were made public on 24 July 2024 when its final report - Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light(external link) was presented to Parliament.
The Royal Commission investigated what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults while in the care of the State or faith-based institutions, mainly between 1950 and 1999.
It heard nearly 3,000 survivor accounts of abuse and neglect and its findings and recommendations are the result of five years of investigations, research, private sessions, and public hearings.
The Prime Minister delivered a public apology in Parliament on behalf of the Crown to survivors of abuse in care on 12 November 2024. This was a significant event for many survivors, their whānau, advocates and for the country.
The text of the Prime Minister’s apology is available at: Vimeo(external link) and the video of the apology can be viewed at: Prime Minister apologises for abuse in care(external link)
In July, the Prime Minister and the Leader Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission also addressed Parliament when the report was presented.
The Ministry of Justice is one of the government agencies contributing to the Crown response to the Royal Commission.
In addition to the work underway to respond to the findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission’s final report, we continue to support work to respond to the recommendations of the Royal Commission’s 2021 interim report, He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu: From Redress to Puretumu Torowhānui(external link). This includes immediate projects(external link) to improve support for survivors of abuse in care.
This work is being coordinated by the Crown Response Unit.
In March 2024 a Ministerial Group was established so that all the Ministers whose work relates to the care system can work together. This will ensure the Crown’s response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry includes all the government agencies that need to be involved.
Read more about the Crown response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission(external link)
Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care website(external link)
Prime Minister’s speech(external link) 12 November 2024
Leader of the Opposition’s statement(external link) 12 November 2024
Responding to Abuse in Care Legislation Amendment Bill(external link)
Prime Minister’s speech(external link) 24 July 2024
Joint Press Release Prime Minister/Minister Stanford Acknowledgement of survivors(external link)
This subject may raise difficult emotional responses from readers. If you would like to talk to a support person the Royal Commission website lists some telephone helplines or services that offer support, information and help. All services are free. Support services | Abuse in Care - Royal Commission of Inquiry(external link).
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