New Zealand Prime Minister Regrets Findings of Abuse in State Care

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed deep regret following a public inquiry revealing that approximately 200,000 children, young people, and vulnerable adults were abused in state and religious care over the past 70 years. The inquiry, which examined cases from 1950 to 2019, found that nearly one in three individuals in care experienced some form of abuse. Luxon described the day as "dark and sorrowful," emphasizing the government's responsibility to improve care standards. An official apology is scheduled for November 12. The Royal Commission of Inquiry, which interviewed over 2,300 survivors, detailed severe abuses, including rape and sterilization, particularly peaking in the 1970s. The report highlighted that Indigenous Maori individuals and those with disabilities were disproportionately affected. It criticized civil and faith leaders for attempting to cover up the abuse by relocating offenders and denying accountability, resulting in many victims not receiving justice during their lifetimes. The inquiry's findings are expected to lead to significant financial implications for the government, with potential compensation claims reaching billions of dollars. The report made 138 recommendations, including public apologies from government officials and church leaders, as well as the establishment of a Care Safe Agency to oversee care practices. It also called for mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, including confessions made during religious services. Tracey McIntosh, a sociologist at the University of Auckland, emphasized the importance of recognizing and acknowledging the survivors' experiences, as the inquiry aims to address intergenerational trauma and review past compensation cases related to child abuse.