Abuse-in-care survivors are looking forward to next month’s apology from government leaders for the suffering they have endured. The apology is one thing. But some advocates say there are survivors who are expecting unrealistic payouts. Apology Erica Stanford, the minister leading the government response to the inquiry, has announced a Parliamentary apology on November 12 Read more
A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report. “It will have the mandate to drive action across the Read more
An independent assessment of Catholic safeguarding protocols and procedures in New Zealand has identified significant progress in many areas. The New Zealand Bishops Conference, in a report issued by Te Rōpū Tautoko, says it also highlights areas where more work is needed. Te Rōpū Tautoko coordinated the Church’s engagement with the Royal Commission of Inquiry Read more
Presbyterian Support Otago chief executive Jo O’Neill has resigned, saying the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care has taken a toll on her. After almost five years of service, O’Neill’s last day was 9 August. Children’s records destroyed The Royal Commission found Presbyterian Support Otago (PSO) in late 2017 had destroyed records of children in Read more
The Royal Commission’s reports into the abuse of young people in state care are shocking and important but we must acknowledge that the most dangerous institution in New Zealand are families. In fact, it’s a relatively small percentage of families. More damage is done to children by these families than by the state. Regarding the Read more
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care’s final report has changed the Catholic Church in New Zealand, says Palmerston North diocese’s Catholic bishop John Adams. Adams (pictured) chose to speak to media about the report so he could put a face to the Church’s response to the Royal Commission’s findings. The Royal Commission Read more
As a requirement of the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care’s terms of reference, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has received the Royal Commission’s recommendations ahead of the final report due to Parliament by 26 June, 2024. “The recommendations have now been provided to Erica Stanford as the Minister responsible for coordinating the Crown Read more
For the third time, Royal Commission into Abuse in Care survivors have been told those writing the Commission’s report won’t meet the set deadline. The high-level inquiry covering children abused while in state and faith-based care was due to present its report on 28 March. Why the delay The Department of Internal Affairs which is Read more
Against a background of ongoing legal matters, Bishop Steve Lowe, the apostolic administrator of the Hamilton Diocese, is accused of not being pastoral enough in his response to a victim of clergy abuse. The Waikato Times reports a woman from within the Hamilton Catholic diocese saying that in a meeting with Lowe, she told him Read more
The Catholic Church’s group dealing with the Royal Commission into State and Faith-Based Care say it is studying a Cabinet paper released by Public Services Minister Chris Hipkins. Hipkins has plans to cut a 3000-strong waiting list of claimants of abuse in state care – such as children’s homes – by making “rapid payments”. Survivors Read more