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The leader of New Zealand has taken a significant step towards reconciliation and accountability by issuing a formal apology to survivors of abuse in state and church care. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made a heartfelt and genuine apology in Parliament, acknowledging the widespread abuse, neglect, and torture that hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable individuals endured while in care.
The magnitude of the abuse was described as horrific and devastating by Luxon as he addressed legislators and a public gallery filled with survivors of the abuse. He emphasized that the abuse should never have happened and took on the responsibility on behalf of the government. Luxon expressed deep regret for the suffering that so many individuals endured in state institutions, foster care, and faith-based organizations. He acknowledged that they should have been treated with respect, dignity, and compassion, but instead were subjected to neglect, abuse, and, in some cases, torture.
The release of a comprehensive report in July revealed that an estimated 200,000 individuals in New Zealand had experienced unimaginable abuse over a seventy-year period. The majority of these victims were Māori, the Indigenous population of New Zealand. The report labeled the findings as a national disgrace and called for accountability and justice for the survivors.
Luxon’s acknowledgment of the government’s role in altering the lives of individuals in care and his expression of remorse for past administrations were seen as crucial steps towards justice and healing. He admitted that vulnerable individuals were let down by the system and that their voices were not heard when they reported their abuse. He also recognized that many abusers were not brought to justice, allowing the cycle of abuse to continue.
The government has pledged to address 28 of the 138 recommendations made by the inquiry but did not provide details on financial redress for the survivors. This has been a point of contention for many survivors and advocates who feel that compensation is crucial in recognizing the harm done and providing closure for the survivors. Luxon’s announcement of a unified redress system to be implemented in 2025 was met with skepticism and calls for more immediate action.
The opposition leader, Chris Hipkins, stressed the importance of compensating the survivors adequately, stating that the cost is insignificant compared to the debt owed to those who suffered abuse. He urged the government not to delay in providing financial redress to the survivors and to prioritize their healing and well-being.
Survivors who were present in Parliament during the apology expressed mixed emotions, with some feeling hopeful for acknowledgment and justice, while others remained skeptical of the government’s commitment to addressing the full extent of the abuse. The apology was met with jeers and tears from those in attendance, highlighting the deep emotional impact of the abuse on the survivors and their families.
The recommendations from the inquiry include seeking apologies from state and church leaders, prosecuting abusers, renaming streets and monuments dedicated to abusers, and reforming laws and systems to prevent future abuse. The inquiry also calls for the identification of unmarked burials at psychiatric facilities, acknowledging the lives lost and the trauma inflicted on survivors.
Luxon’s apology marks a significant moment in New Zealand’s history, acknowledging the past wrongs and committing to creating a better future for vulnerable individuals in care. The survivors of abuse deserve justice, accountability, and healing, and it is hoped that the government will follow through on its promises and provide the necessary support to those who have suffered.
