This investigation will examine and report on abuse and neglect of children and young people in residences run by the State, and by the independent sector on behalf of the State, such as boys’ and girls’ social welfare homes and family homes, and institutions that provided combined care and protection and youth justice care.

This investigation does not include abuse and neglect that occurred in borstals, youth justice facilities, schools, health camps, foster care, or care facilities for people with disabilities - abuse that occurred in those State care settings will be considered in separate investigations. Please contact the Commission if you are in any doubt.

Children in residential care are particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect as a result of isolation from their whānau, families and carers, and the involvement of adult staff in their intimate personal care and education. We will be investigating a range of issues including why children were placed in these residences, what abuse happened and why it happened, and the impacts of abuse on victims and survivors, their families, whānau, hapū, iwi and communities. The investigation will also consider what the State did to respond to and prevent abuse, and what can be done better in the future to safeguard children in care.

The scope of the investigation into abuse of children in State residential care can be read here. The investigation is gathering evidence and will hold roundtable discussions, wananga, hui and fono. It will conduct case studies which will focus on particular institutions, themes and issues. 

Providing information to the investigation

People who experienced abuse or neglect as a child or young person in State residential care will have important information for our investigation. We also want to hear from the families and whānau of people who were abused in care, and from people who worked in State residential care institutions and family homes, or who witnessed or were aware of abuse of children in care.

Sharing your experience means the Inquiry can make findings about what happened and meaningful recommendations for change that are necessary to prevent and respond to abuse in care.

We acknowledge that sharing experiences of abuse will be difficult, but it is important for these stories and accounts to be told and brought into the light. Please click here to access the Inquiry’s wellbeing information and contact page if you need support at any time.

If you want to share your experience with us then please contact us confidentially on 0800 222 727 or email:contact@abuseincare.org.nz

Photo credit: Kararaina Beckett