New Zealand: 200,000 Vulnerable People Subjected to Abuse and Neglect in State and Christian-Run Institutions, Commission of Inquiry Finds

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A devastating new report shows that some 200,000 vulnerable children, youth, and adults were subjected to extreme neglect and abuse while in the care of State and Christian-run institutions between 1950 and 1999 in New Zealand, Christian Daily International (CDI) reports.

Titled ‘Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,’ the report was commissioned by New Zealand’s Abuse in Care/Royal Commission of Inquiry. The report was published on Wednesday (July 25).

Having heard testimony from 2,329 survivors about the abuse they experienced, the Inquiry described its findings as “a national disgrace,” CDI reports. Although the true number of victims will never be known, as many have died and records have been lost, around 200,000 vulnerable people out of 650,000 in care were abused, and “even more were neglected,” during the period in question, the report says.

In particular, the Inquiry notes, leaders of faith-based institutions tried to cover up abuse by moving perpetrators to other sites and denying any involvement.

However, the Inquiry notes, faith leaders “knew, or should have known about the abuse and neglect that was happening. They failed not only in their duty to keep people in their care safe from harm, but they also failed to hold abusers to account.”

Those who committed the abuses included “bishops, priests, religious sisters, religious brothers, deacons, lay people,” the Inquiry said.

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