New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has issued a formal apology to victims of abuse in care homes, following a comprehensive inquiry into one of the nation’s largest abuse scandals.
Delivering the historic apology in parliament, Luxon acknowledged the disturbing findings of a report that revealed 200,000 children and vulnerable adults experienced abuse in state and faith-based care from 1950 to 2019. The report highlighted that many of the victims were from Māori and Pacific communities, as well as individuals with mental or physical disabilities.
“I make this apology to all survivors on behalf of my own and previous governments,” Luxon stated on Tuesday. “It was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened.” He recognized the profound impact this abuse had on survivors, noting, “For many of you, it changed the course of your life, and for that, the government must take responsibility.”
Describing the inquiry as New Zealand’s largest and most complex public investigation, Luxon shared that it took six years to complete and involved interviews with thousands of survivors from state and faith-based care institutions. The report documented a range of abuses, including rape, sterilization, and forced labor.
Findings indicated that faith-based institutions experienced higher rates of sexual abuse compared to state care. Additionally, the report noted attempts by civil and religious leaders to cover up the abuse by relocating offenders and denying responsibility, which led to many victims not receiving justice.
The inquiry’s results provided validation for those who faced powerful authorities, including the state and religious institutions, while often struggling to be believed. The report included over 100 recommendations, which called for public apologies from New Zealand authorities and religious leaders, along with legislation mandating the reporting of suspected abuse.
Luxon reported that the government has either completed or is working on 28 of these recommendations and will deliver a full response next year. He also announced the establishment of a National Remembrance Day, set for November 12 next year, to commemorate the anniversary of his apology.
“It is on all of us to do all we can to ensure that abuse that should never have been accepted no longer occurs,” he concluded. The report indicated that nearly one in three individuals in New Zealand care experienced abuse.
Credit: BBC News
