Royal Commission into abuse to shine a light on NZ's 'dark' shared history, Satyanand promises
Tuesday, 25 June 2019
Abuse survivor advocates say they're cautiously optimistic after hearing promises a new Royal Commission will shine a light on New Zealand's 'dark and uncomfortable shared history'.
At its first public session in Auckland on Tuesday, members of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions pledged to find ways to stop abuse from happening in future.
The commission has the power to compel witnesses, make referrals to agencies including police, and can require people and agencies to hand over documents.
'Maybe the positive development is they're talking with the public,' parent advocacy group Whanau First convenor Louise Hutchinson said. 'What was made clear is that this is the biggest inquiry that our country has ever faced.'
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The commission has already been ensnared in controversy, with the inquiry's Survivors Advisory Group facilitator Harry Tam, a Mongrel Mob member stood down after multiple allegations of domestic violence were raised.
'There's a lot of challenging to the leadership going on and we need to keep that pressure on,' Hutchinson told Stuff.
Dr Murray Heasley, spokesman for Survivors of Abuse in Faith-based Institutions, said Tuesday's event was a reasonable preliminary hearing but there was much more work to do.
'Faith-based survivors have yet to work out whether the Royal Commission is safe place to report.'
He said many safety and security issues had been raised, especially around survivors giving testimony.
'We're not yet convinced that we can recommend the Royal Commission to our survivors, given the concerns over the way it's been running.'
Heasley said it was crucial the right questions were asked and important that Simon Mount QC, counsel assisting the commission, be able to forensically investigate any institution.
Commissioners on Tuesday said information shared in private sessions would be made anonymous.
It will take years to hear from abuse victims and make recommendations to state and religious institutions.
But Commissioner Ali'imuamua Sandra Alofivae said the inquiry had already heard from more than 70 survivors in private sessions.
Alofivae, a lawyer, said it was 'important to the healing journey' for survivors to speak their truth, and private sessions would be tailored in ways to ensure survivors felt in control.
Legal scholar and fellow commissioner Dr Andrew Erueti said the inquiry's first substantive hearing would be in October or November.
A final report was due to be delivered in January 2023 to the Governor-General.
'We also need to gather research on the nature and pervasiveness of abuse, including sexual abuse,' Erueti said.
He said the commission would examine long-terms effect of abuse in care, including the 'impact on future generations' when children were abused in care.
Commission chairman Sir Anand Satyanand said the inquiry would address 'our dark and uncomfortable shared history' and not shy away from asking tough questions.
'It will not be easy. It will not be quick. But it is necessary for us as a nation to move forward.'
The commission was primarily expected to examine cases of abuse from 1950 to 1999 but had the discretion to investigate abuse from before or after that time span.
Commissioner Paul Gibson, a former Disabled People's Assembly president, said crucial parts of the inquiry would involve engaging with sometimes hard-to-reach groups like gangs, homeless people, inmates, disabled people and members of some faith-based communities.
'We will not hesitate to use our powers when required,' said Judge Coral Shaw, another one of the commissioners.
'This inquiry is larger and more complex than any previous inquiry in New Zealand.'