Abuse in Care: Whacked with a belt for using sign language, denied his Māori culture

Friday, 15 July 2022

People with disabilities experience higher rates of violence than nondisabled people. Disabled people, their whānau and advocates are sharing stories of historical abuse at the Abuse in Care – Royal Commission of Inquiry Disability, Deaf and Mental Health institutional care. The hearing runs from July 11 to July 20.

Content warning: This story contains accounts of abuse which some readers may find distressing.

A Deaf survivor has described being strapped with a belt as punishment if he used sign language at a school for Deaf students.

The witness, Mr EX, shared stories of physical, sexual and psychological abuse and neglect from his time as a student at Kelston Deaf Boarding School between 1966 and 1973, at the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry – Disability, Deaf and Mental Health institutional care hearing.

**READ MORE:

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“When they saw us signing they would hit us on the hands, and we were told to turn our voice on and speak,” he told the royal commission, using New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).

Mr EX would be strapped with a belt or smacked by the hand if he used sign. Sometimes the boys were whacked with their pants down so it was more painful.

“Not being able to sign was upsetting. We were all upset,” he said.

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Not only was his Deaf identity denied but, as someone who could lip-read, his Māori culture was also denied because the school told his parents not to speak to him in te reo Māori.

He said he never had access to te reo or tikanga while at school, and sign language interpreters were not available while spending time on the marae.

“My culture was pushed aside. I feel there is a disconnect to my culture. A part of me is missing,” he said.

“Kelston was very Pākehā, the majority of staff were Pākehā – there were only two or three Māori staff members. I felt it was easier to connect with the Māori staff.”

Mr EX said, not only was he physically abused, but sexually abused from when he was 8 to 10 years old.

There was one particular staff member who would sexually abuse him during shower times, he said.

When Mr EX reconnected with other Kelston students seven or eight years ago, they realised the same staff member also abused other students.

While at Kelston, he also witnessed the abuse of other students. He recalls staff forcing the children to brush their teeth with soap. One time, a girl felt so unwell afterwards that she collapsed.

Despite all he’s been through, Mr EX finds comfort in his faith. He goes to church every Sunday which helps cleanse his spirit, he said.

Moving forward, he said there should be a lot more Māori staff at Deaf schools and more money invested in supporting kaupapa Māori.

“Back then, it was like Māori students were second-class citizens,” he said. “Māori success would improve if there was someone to push Māori initiatives.”

The hearing continues on Monday, July 18.

Where to get help

• 1737, Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor.

• Mental Health Foundation 09 623 4812, click here to access its free resource and information service.

• thelowdown.co.nz Web chat, email chat or free text 5626

• If it is an emergency, click here to find the number for your local crisis assessment team.

• In a life-threatening situation, call 111.