New Zealand's Blistering Inquiry Reveals Historical Abuse in State and Church Care

New Zealand’s independent inquiry into child and vulnerable adult abuse in care over five decades concludes that state agencies and churches failed to prevent or admit ongoing abuse. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon promises an apology but remains vague on compensation and job terminations for responsible officials. The report highlights systemic negligence and exploitation.

A wide-ranging independent inquiry in New Zealand has revealed extensive abuse of children and vulnerable adults in state and church care over five decades. The inquiry's damning final report, released on Wednesday, stated that agencies and churches failed to prevent, stop, or admit to the abuse despite being aware of it.

The report described the scale of the abuse as 'unimaginable,' with lax scrutiny and rare repercussions for predators. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged that historical treatment in some state-run institutions amounted to torture and promised an apology to the victims. However, he did not disclose potential compensation costs or commit to job terminations for those involved in the cover-ups.

The findings by the Royal Commission follow a six-year investigation, revealing that nearly a third of the 650,000 children and vulnerable adults in care between 1950 and 1999 suffered various forms of abuse. The report condemned this as a 'national disgrace,' with many more cases likely unrecorded due to lost or destroyed records. A formal government apology is scheduled for November 12.

(With inputs from agencies.)