New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed regret on Wednesday after a public inquiry found that about 200,000 children, young people, and vulnerable adults were abused in state and religious care over the past 70 years.
The inquiry found that nearly one in three people in care from 1950 to 2019 faced some form of abuse.
This could lead to billions of dollars in compensation claims.
A Dark Chapter in New Zealand's History
"This is a dark and sad day in New Zealand's history. As a society and as a state, we should have done better, and I am determined that we will do so," Luxon said at a news conference.
An official apology is planned for November 12.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry report included stories from over 2,300 survivors. It detailed various abuses like rape, sterilization, and electric shocks, especially in the 1970s.
Indigenous Maori and people with mental or physical disabilities were most at risk.
Survivors and their supporters filled the public gallery of parliament as the report was discussed. Many stood and sang an Indigenous Maori song about love and unity after Luxon spoke, comparing the abuse at state care facilities like Lake Alice to torture.
Cover-Ups
The inquiry criticized civil and faith leaders for hiding abuses by moving offenders and denying responsibility.
Many victims died without seeing justice.
It made 138 recommendations, including public apologies from the New Zealand government, the Pope, and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Catholic Church of New Zealand said it is carefully reviewing the report and will take action, acknowledging past abuses. The Anglican Church in New Zealand did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
The report estimated the lifetime cost of abuse for a survivor to be about NZ$857,000 ($511,200.50) per person, but did not specify the exact amount of compensation. Luxon said total compensation could reach billions of dollars and stressed the importance of recognizing survivors.
"We're opening up the redress conversations and we're going through that work with survivor groups," Luxon said. The inquiry also recommended payments to families affected by intergenerational trauma and a review of past compensation cases, including those at the Lake Alice adolescent unit.
Tracey McIntosh, a sociologist at the University of Auckland, said, "The most important thing is to recognize and acknowledge the survivors for the reality and the truth of their lives."
The report called for setting up a Care Safe Agency to oversee the care industry and new laws requiring the reporting of suspected abuse, including during religious confession.
This development was covered by Reuters.
