Survivors now have the opportunity to submit their experiences of abuse or neglect in care in writing. Written accounts will not replace private sessions – they simply provide an alternative way for people wanting to share their stories, where they do not want to do a private session.

You are required to get in touch with our Contact Centre before receiving the written account booklet and submitting your written account. This is to ensure there is appropriate wellbeing support organised and in place. The Contact Centre can also answer questions about submitting your written account and other support we can offer at any point in the process.

Please note if you have already provided a written account then you don’t need to take any action. Your written account will contribute to the work of the inquiry, helping us to build a picture of what happened to those who were abused in care.

Frequently Asked Questions for Survivors and their advocates

If you have any questions please Free Call NZ 0800 222 727 or from Australia 1-800- 875-745 or email: mystory@abuseincare.org.nz

The Inquiry is committed to offering different channels of engagement to survivors. 

Survivors of abuse and neglect in care are being provided the opportunity to submit their experiences of abuse in writing. This is an option some survivors have been requesting. It is a viable option for survivors who cannot or do not want to meet with a Commissioner. It also makes it easier for survivors who are based overseas to engage with the Commission. Written accounts do not replace private sessions – they are an alternative.

If you want to submit a written account, please get in touch with our Contact Centre. You will be registered as a survivor and given information about the written account booklet and submitting your account. We can ensure you have appropriate support in place .

The guide booklet sets out the process for writing and submitting your written account. We recommend survivors consider having someone with them while they are thinking about what they may write, while writing about their experience, or after they have written it. Support can be provided by people including: whānau / family, a friend, a kaumatua, or someone else such as a counsellor, psychologist or registered mental health professional, a Māori non-government organisation, Wellbeing Advisors or other staff from the Commission. 

Accounts can also be submitted in almost any format – you could send in a poem, quote or picture. It doesn’t have to be a narrative format.

Your information will be treated in total confidence. The only staff in the Inquiry who will have access to your information are those that need to see it for the purposes of the work of the Royal Commission.  Your written account will contribute to the work of the inquiry, helping us to build a picture of what happened to those who were abused in care.

No, if you have already sent us a written account then you don’t need to take any action. Your written account will contribute to the work of the inquiry, helping us to build a picture of what happened to those who were abused in care.

When your account is completed it can be sent by email to: mystory@abuseincare.org.nz

or by mail to:

FreePost

Freepost Abuse in Care Inquiry

PO Box 10071

Wellington 6140

If you are sending by mail from overseas you will need to pay for postage.

You can also send your booklet to us through your support person, which may include staff from the Commission.

All emails will receive an acknowledgement.

If you would like us to write to you to let you know that we have received your written account, please give us your postal address and we reply to you within 10 working days.