Abuse in State Residential homes public hearing 6 May witness list
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.
6 May
10:00am
Gwyneth Beard
Ms Beard is a 59 year old Māori woman of Ngati Porou and Welsh descent. She was placed in Strathmore Girls’ Home and Kingslea Girls’ Home in Christchurch, and Weymouth in Auckland. She will give evidence of being placed in solitary confinement, and undergoing compulsory internal vaginal medical examinations in each institution. One doctor performing the examination sexually abused her. She will give evidence of the profound impact on her of the trauma she experienced in State care, including her experiences in relationships, and avoiding smear tests as an adult.
12.15pm
Nita Kerepeti
Ms Kerepeti is a 59 year old woman of Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, and Ngāti Mutunga descent. She will give evidence of her experiences of abuse in care from 1974, including physical and sexual abuse in the Dundas Road Family Home. At the age of 13, she was placed in Bollard Girls’ Home, where she underwent an internal medical examination by a male doctor, and was placed in solitary confinement. She was raped by the principal of Bollard, and her medical records confirm that she subsequently had a miscarriage. She also spent two years living on the run, after absconding from Bollard at the age of 14. She will give evidence of the impact of abuse in State care on her life, and the redress process that she undertook with ACC.
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.