Calls for promises to be kept, one year after abuse in care apology

WARNING: This story includes content that amy disturbing for some readers.

Survivors have criticised the government’s response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission and have used the National Day of Reflection as a platform to call for promises to be kept.

A year on from the Prime Minister’s apology for abuse in care, survivors have come together at more than 60 events around the country.

In Christchurch, more than 100 survivors and their supporters gathered at Validation Park, the site of the former Marylands School where horrific abuse was inflicted on children.

Eddie Marriott – who suffered sexual, physical and psychological abuse at the hands of the Brothers of St John of God at Marylands School – said he was hurt no politicians joined survivors on Wednesday.

“They don’t want to front us, which is traumatising in itself because it’s like we don’t count,” Marriott said.

“That’s the thing – we’re not seen, not heard, not important.”

He said he was suffering from the heartache of promises not kept by the government.

At last November’s apology, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told survivors that a new independent redress scheme would be established and the government would “do the right thing by you and provide you with the support you need”.

In this year’s budget the government declined to create the independent redress system and only increased redress payments available to survivors by about $10,000 to an average of $30,000 – about a third of what survivors in Australia receive.

Mental Health Minister and Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey was invited to Wednesday’s event in Christchurch, but could not attend as he had to be in Wellington to attend parliament.

Hanz Freller, who this year received a King’s Service Medal for services to survivors, agreed with Marriott that the survivors were being forgotten.

“Where are the MPs? I would’ve thought that they would’ve been here today. Not all of them, of course, but definitely some of the more prominent ones who have overseen the Royal Commission … and they’re not and that’s really sad. They’re saying they’re here for us and they’re not – they’re not even here on our day,” Freller said.

Terry Kingi sat in parliament as the Prime Minister made the apology on behalf of the government last year.

“I’m very disappointed,” he said.

“The promises they made on the 12th of November last year in parliament do not reflect what we have seen a year later. There’s been a lot of broken promises, a lot of disillusion and a lot of survivors feel totally let down.”

David Williams, who suffered abuse in state care at boys homes and borstals, said the government’s words now seemed hollow.

“This Day of Reflection is for survivors. I don’t look at it as a year on from the apology because the apology didn’t mean nothing. It stood for nothing,” Williams said.

Advocate Ken Clearwater laid down a challenge to the government.

“Support survivors, don’t treat us as second-class citizens. We have lived experience and we know the damage that can be done and we also know what needs to be done for healing,” Clearwater said.

“It takes a village to raise a child. The government have had 100 years since the Children’s Act and you’ve f****d that up badly, so it’s time now that you gave the children back to the village.”

Where to get help:

• Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
• Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202.
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666.
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
• What’s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds.
• Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
• Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254.
• Healthline: 0800 611 116.
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155.
• OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

Sexual Violence