Abuse in care report recognises life-long trauma
The release of the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in care marks a very important milestone for people who have experienced abuse. Following release of the the report Te Hiringa Mahara Chief Executive Karen Orsborn shared this statement.
Tēnei te mihi aroha, te mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa - Our compassion and acknowledgement to you all
He hōnore, he maumahara ki te hunga tamariki kua mate - we honour and remember the children no longer with us
He hōnore, he maumahara ki te hunga tamariki, taipakeke e ora ana, e wahakōrero ana - we honour and remember the children, some now adults, who live to tell the stories
Ko koutou ngā mōrehu, ngā reo kōrero mo rātau kua wahangū - You are the survivors, the spokespeople for those voices who fell silent
Kia kore rawa tātau e wareware ki o rātau, o koutou wheako o te tūkino me te whakamamae - to ensure we shall never forget the abuse and harm inflicted upon them, upon you.
This time is for the people who have experienced abuse and harm when they were in care and for recognising the lifelong after effects this has caused.
This report is important not only for documenting the harms that have impacted the lives of thousands of New Zealanders, but to also recognise and understand the subsequent trauma and distress that people live with as a result.
We acknowledge the pain, loss and anger of those who contributed their voices to this inquiry and those who shared these experiences. We pause to remember those for whom this was too late.
The negative flow-on effects of decades of institutional abuse are still playing out. We must make sure enough is being done for those living with the aftermath.
The Commission says that people who experienced abuse need to be able to access ongoing and appropriate care and support. We need to recognise that people have different responses to trauma and ensure access to culturally appropriate responses that best support their needs.
Though we cannot turn the clock back, we can honour and amplify the survivor voices in the hope that their future aspirations are realised.
Of particular importance is ensuring all organisations who provide care are monitored closely with a high standard of transparency. It is only then that we can be confident that the human rights of people are recognised and protected.
The experiences documented in the report cannot be undone, but looking forward it must never happen again.