WELLINGTON: Some 200,000 New Zealanders held in care were abused over decades, a public inquiry reported on Wednesday, prompting an apology from the country’s prime minister who vowed reform.

The authors of the report described widespread abuse in state care and faith-based institutions as an “unthinkable national catastrophe” that caused “unimaginable harm”.

Throughout the six-year investigation, dozens of victims gave harrowing testimony about physical, sexual and mental abuse suffered in orphanages, foster homes, psychiatric hospitals and other institutions.

The “Abuse of Care” royal commission found that “of the estimated 655,000 children, young people and adults in care from 1950 to 2019, it is estimated that 200,000 were abused and even more were neglected”. Some children were subjected to seizure-inducing electroconvulsive therapy. Others in care reported sexual abuse by church officials.

Young mothers were forced to give their children up for adoption. Many victims reported lingering trauma that has fuelled addiction and other problems. The report found that some of the abuse was “overlaid with racism” targeting ethnic Maori who were in care.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2024