The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry Faith-based Redress hearing continues today in Auckland.

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

The hearing is being live-streamed here.

Hearing location: Level 2, 414 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland 1023.

2 December

10:00am

Ann-Marie Shelley

Ann-Marie’s evidence describes her experience of abuse while in the care of several faith-based institutions. Ann-Marie describes the great impact the abuse has had on her life, and the obstacles and challenges she has experienced while seeking redress. Ann-Marie sought redress both through engaging with the Abuse Protocol Committee of the Archdiocese of Wellington, and through laying a complaint with the Police. Her Police complaint eventually resulted in a conviction and Ann-Marie talks about the court process, what happened at the hearings and how members of the Church were involved.

11:45am via AVL

Mary Marshall 

Mary will give evidence about the process of obtaining redress for abuse she suffered at St Patrick’s Cathedral School and St Dominic’s Catholic College in Auckland. Mary sought legal representation from Cooper Legal to engage in the redress process. Mary’s evidence will describe the re-traumatisation she experienced through the National Office for Professional Standards’ approach to resolving the complaint. Mary received an ex-gratia payment and an apology from the Sisters of Mercy for the abuse suffered at St Patrick’s Cathedral School, but the Dominican Sisters did not uphold her complaint of abuse at St Dominic’s Catholic College.

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