The Prime Minister of New Zealand has issued a groundbreaking apology to individuals who were abused while in state care, recognizing the “unimaginable pain” experienced in children’s homes and psychiatric institutions.
According to a recent public inquiry, around 200,000 at-risk New Zealanders were subjected to abuse in state care across several decades, a situation described as an “unthinkable national catastrophe”.
Instances of sexual abuse by church caregivers, forced adoptions of children by mothers, and the application of electroconvulsive therapy on patients deemed “difficult” were reported.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon offered this apology on behalf of the successive governments that ignored such critical issues.
“Some of you might feel my words hold little significance after so much time and pain.
“Nevertheless, I hope that today, with this apology and the acknowledgment of your struggles, it eases your burden just a bit.”
Today, I stood before survivors of abuse in care as the representative of not only this Government but all prior administrations to extend a formal and unreserved apology for the injustices suffered in state care, churches, and other faith-based organizations.
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— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) November 11, 2024
Mr. Luxon specifically mentioned the Lake Alice psychiatric hospital in rural New Zealand, where former patients reported being involuntarily sterilized, subjected to unethical medical experiments, and punished with electric shocks.
“To those of you who endured torture at Lake Alice—young, isolated, and subjected to unimaginable suffering—I am profoundly sorry.”
Many victims have shared their ongoing trauma, which has led to issues such as addiction.
The report indicated that some abuses were “overlaid with racism,” particularly targeting Indigenous Maori individuals.
Established in 2018, the inquiry has put forth 233 recommendations, which Mr. Luxon’s government has vowed to consider.
