The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry State Residential homes public hearing resumes today in Auckland.

Commissioners will hear from two witnesses. Witness evidence summaries are outlined below.

The hearing is being live-streamed here.

The hearing is open to media. Only opening and closing statements can be filmed but witness footage is available.

Hearing location: Level 2, 414 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland 1023. Entrance from Kingdon st.

10 May

10:00am

Tyrone Marks

Mr Marks is 60 years old and is of English and Māori descent (Ngāti Raukawa). He was taken into care at the age of 8, and experienced serious physical, sexual and psychological abuse in multiple care settings: Epuni, Campbell Park School, Lookout Point, Hokio, Holdsworth, Lake Alice, Ōwairaka and Kohitere. He spent excessive periods locked in solitary confinement from the age of 8, experienced racism, had exessive physical training as punishment and was placed on a trial of amphetamine drugs while in care.  He received scant education and was illiterate when he was discharged as a State ward. He will give evidence of the impacts of abuse, including subsequent criminal offending and his inability to pursue meaningful vocations due to his lack of education and admissions to Lake Alice.

2.15pm

Scott Carr

Mr Carr is a 39 year old Pākehā man. He was placed in Epuni and Whakapakari on Great Barrier Island from 1998.  Mr Carr suffered extreme physical and psychological abuse at Whakapakari, including being placed on “Alcatraz”, an outer island with no shelter. He will give evidence that he suffered violent abuse while at Whakapakari.  A supervisor choked Scott and threatened to harm Mr Carr’s mother after staff intercepted a letter to his mother complaining about violent abuse from staff. This letter is included as an exhibit to his statement. Mr Carr suffers anxiety, depression and flashbacks as a result of his abuse.

Media enquiries: 027 298 2094; media@abuseincare.org.nz

About the Abuse in Care Inquiry

The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry is investigating the abuse and neglect that happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in care from 1950 and 1999.