The general election is now just days away. The Royal Commission is an independent Inquiry so, regardless of the election outcome, our work and focus continues.

More Royal Commission haerenga/outreach in coming weeks

Photos from the recent haerenga in Ōtepoti Dunedin

During September and October the Royal Commission is visiting some regions to feed back what it has heard from survivors and communities last year.
 
We visited Ōtepoti Dunedin on 26 and 27 September and will be in Tai Tokerau (Kaitaia and Kaikohe) on 9 and 10 October and Tairāwhiti Gisborne on 18 and 19 October. This is in addition to the survivor advisory and expert reference groups.
 
The Royal Commission wants to make sure it presents practical and workable solutions for change so we need to test our thinking and assumptions with communities.
 
This includes iwi leaders, NGOs, kaimahi within communities, whānau and survivors. We want to share our progress, ensure we are on the right track and understand what is changing.

Aotearoa New Zealand represented at Ending Clergy Abuse Summit in Rome 

In the last week of September Christchurch survivor Darryl Smith attended the Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA) Summit in Rome, Italy, representing survivors from our country.
 
Darryl is a survivor of abuse by St John of God brothers in both Aotearoa New Zealand (Marylands School) and Australia. He was supported on this trip by Murray Heasley from the Network of Survivors of Abuse in Faith-based Institutions organisation.
 
Darryl took copies of the Royal Commission’s Stolen Lives, Marked Souls report to deliver in person to the St John of God global headquarters.

But no one would come outside to see him.

He left the report in the hope they will read it. Darryl said he felt let down by the church - once again.
"This is the head office and they do absolutely nothing but hide behind a bloody wall, I'm furious," he told Newshub.
 
His visit was covered on TV3 Newshub, and that story can be seen here.
 
Ending Clergy Abuse is a worldwide organisation of survivors and human rights activists from more than 24 countries whose mission is to get the Catholic Church to end clergy abuse and help bring justice to survivors.
 
The ECA Summit called on the Pope to make zero tolerance of clergy abuse and cover up by bishops a universal law of the Catholic Church.

Photo: St John of God survivor Darryl Smith delivering a copy of the Royal Commission’s Stolen Lives, Marked Souls report to the Order’s global headquarters in Rome. Image credit: Newshub

Update on Marylands Place/Reserve renaming

The Christchurch City Council will meet with a group of Marylands School survivors in the coming weeks to seek their ideas and suggestions for renaming Marylands Reserve and Marylands Place in Middleton. The renaming is in response to the Royal Commission’s recommendations in He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu - From Redress to Puretumu Torowhānui to remove any memorials to perpetrators of abuse. Following this, we’ll let you know how you can give your feedback on the proposed names to Christchurch City Council.
 
Please contact Tessa Zant, Manager Engagement, Christchurch City Council on (03) 941 8935 or write to Tessa.Zant@ccc.govt.nz if you have any questions.

Judicial Review

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have filed an application for a Judicial Review. The hearing is set down to be heard in the Wellington High Court from 9 – 11 October and will be open to the public, including media.

If you require further information about attending the hearing, we suggest you contact the High Court Registrar. Email WellingtonHC@justice.govt.nz or call 04 914 3600.

How to get in touch with the Royal Commission

Call us in New Zealand on 0800 222 727 between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday, or text 8185.

Call us from Australia on free phone 1800 875 745.

Email us at contact@abuseincare.org.nz.

Write to us at PO Box 10071, Wellington 6140.

Visit our website www.abuseincare.org.nz.

Help and support services 

Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797 for people dealing with an alcohol or other drug problem; 10 am to 10 pm)   

Anxiety phone line 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY)   

Depression Helpline 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions)   

Family Services 211 Helpline 0800 211 211 for help finding (and direct transfer to) community-based health and social support services in your area   

HELP 0800 623 1700 preventing sexual abuse and supporting survivors 24/7.

Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)   

Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor   

OUTline NZ 0800 688 5463 (OUTLINE) provides confidential telephone support for sexuality or gender identity issues; 9 am to 9 pm weekdays, and 6 pm to 8 pm weekends)   

Rape Crisis 0800 883 300 (for support after rape or sexual assault)   

Safe to talk (Available 24/7) 0800 044 334, free txt 4334. Free and confidential information and support from trained counsellors for people affected by sexual harm in any way.   

Samaritans 0800 726 666   

Shine 0508 744 633, free to call from any phone in NZ, and taking calls 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Call for confidential support, information, advice and referrals

Skylight 0800 299 100 for trauma, loss and grief; 9am–5pm weekdays   

Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)   

Supporting Families in Mental Illness for families and whānau supporting a loved one who has a mental illness. Auckland 0800 732 825.    

Victim Support 0800 842 846 This free service provides emotional and practical support, information, financial assistance, referral to other support services and advocacy for the rights of victims   

Wellington HELP 0800 FOR HELP supports anyone and everyone who has been impacted by sexual violence. Call anytime.

Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234