We would like to acknowledge and give thanks to seven survivors who helped name and design this report. Their whakaaro stemmed from experiences they never should have had, with hope to be listened to and to be part of ending abuse in Aotearoa. Our hope is you feel listened to, supported and that we believed you. 

Nei ra te mihi ki a koutou e ngā rangatira: Adam Powell, Hanz Freller, Justin Taia, Alan Nixon, Eddie Marriott, Darryl Smith and Steve Long.

The name Stolen Lives, Marked Souls was gifted by this group. The abuse of the church had stolen many lives and left enduring marks on the souls of many.

The group worked with illustrator, Chris Sands, to create imagery that reflects their experiences and connection.

The fern represents something growing again, renewing.  The monarch butterfly is a meaningful symbol for the group and represents ‘their mark’.

The blue hue underlying the design was also suggested by the survivors.

The kowhaiwhai, which appears, in part, across all of our reports represents the sharing of experiences by survivors, the process of healing, the forming of relationships and the resilience and strength to move forward.  The kowhaiwhai will come together, in a full circle, in our Final Report.

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