Witnesses for faith-based institutions will begin giving evidence before the Abuse in Care of Inquiry today on their processes for resolving historic and current abuse claims.

The faith-based institution witnesses - which include representatives from the highest levels within New Zealand’s Salvation Army, and Anglican and Catholic Churches - will be responding to survivors’ evidence and outlining past and current Redress policies and processes. 

Commissioners will hear from one witness today.

Monday 15 March

10.00am

Opening statement – The Salvation Army and relevant Core Participants

10.30am

Colonel Gerry Walker

Colonel Gerry Walker is the Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army in New Zealand. He has been in full time ministry with The Salvation Army since 2002 in a variety of roles. In 2018, he was appointed to The Salvation Army’s Royal Commission Working Group. In his evidence, Colonel Walker apologises to survivors of abuse in a Salvation Army care context. He outlines the redress process, which is primarily led by Murray Houston, provides an overview of the constitutional structure of The Salvation Army and explains The Salvation Army’s policies for dealing with abuse allegations.

COVID-19 information – At level 1, the hearing is open to the public.

The hearing is being live-streamed here.

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

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. It will also consider experiences of abuse or neglect before outside these dates. After completing its investigations, it will make recommendations to the Governor General on how New Zealand can better care for children, young people and vulnerable adults.