Inquiry finds 200,000 people were abused in care in New Zealand over decades in ‘national disgrace’

Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Nearly a third of the children and vulnerable adults in state, foster and faith-based care in New Zealand between 1950 and 1999 were physically, sexually, verbally or psychologically harmed. That’s according to a sweeping report from a six-year inquiry into abuse, neglect and exploitation. Many of the 200,000 people who were abused were Māori, New Zealand’s Indigenous people. The report called the findings a “national disgrace.” It urged immediate redress for survivors and consequences for abusers, along with far-reaching overhauls of the child welfare system. The inquiry found that faith institutions were among the worst settings for abuse. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it was a sorrowful day for the country.