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Abuse in Care - Royal Commission of Inquiry

Abuse in Care - Royal Commission of Inquiry

This Royal Commission is an independent inquiry into abuse in state care and in the care of faith-based institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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State Redress Hearing (Phase 1) 21 September to 2 October 2020

About the hearing 

Phase 1 of the State Redress Hearing focussed on the experience of survivors of abuse in care and civil claims made against the State, and from survivors about civil litigation in the courts and before the Human Rights Tribunal. 

**Distressing content warning** 

This material contains explicit descriptions of tūkino – abuse, harm and trauma – and may evoke strong negative, emotional responses for readers. Although this response may be unpleasant and difficult to tolerate, it is also appropriate to feel upset. Respect others’ truths, breathe deeply, take care of your spirit and be gentle with your heart. However, if you or someone in your close circle needs support, please contact your healthcare or wellbeing provider. 

Hearing schedule 

Outlined below are the survivors and experts that spoke at the hearing. Witness statements, briefs of evidence, video footage and transcripts of their testimony can be accessed through the links below. 

Day 1: 21 September 2020 

  • Opening statements
  • Cheryl Munro on behalf of James Packer 
  • Keith Wiffin 

Day 2: 22 September 2020 

  • Keith Wiffin (continued) 
  • Joan Bellingham 

Day 3: 23 September 2020 

  • Chassy Duncan 
  • Patrick Stevens 

Day 4: 24 September 2020 

  • Earl White 
  • Leonie McInroe 

Day 5: 25 September 2020 

  • Tanya and Georgina Sammons and Hope Curtin
  • Dr Fiona Inkpen Stand Children’s Services Tū Māia Whānau (Stand Tū Māia) 

Day 6: 28 September 2020 

  • Kerry Johnson 
  • Trish Grant (IHC) 

Day 7: 29 September 2020 

  • Gay Rowe on behalf Paul Beale 
  • Sonja Cooper and Amanda Hill (Cooper Legal) 

Day 8-10: 30 September - 2 October 2020 

  • Sonja Cooper and Amanda Hill (Cooper Legal) continued 
Public hearings
  • Faith-based Institutional Response Hearing
  • State Institutional Response Hearing
  • Ūhia te māramatanga Disability, Deaf and Mental Health Institutional Care Hearing
  • Foster Care Hearing
  • Tō muri te pō roa, tērā a Pokopoko Whiti-te-rā (Māori Experiences) Hearing
  • Marylands School (St John of God) Hearing
  • Tulou – Our Pacific Voices: Tatala e Pulonga (Pacific Peoples’ Experiences) Hearing
  • Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit Hearing
  • State Children’s Residential Care Hearing
  • Faith-based Redress Hearing (phase 2)
  • Faith-based Redress Hearing (phase 1)
  • State Redress Hearing (Phase 2)
  • State Redress Hearing (Phase 1)
  • Contextual hearing
  • Procedural Hearing

Related papers

  • Briefing Paper - Findings and recommendations on redress and rehabilitation processes into child sexual abuse in care
  • Briefing Paper - Legal frameworks applying to litigation of civil claims
  • Briefing Paper - Findings and recommendations on redress and rehabilitation processes for claims of abuse in State care
  • Briefing Paper - Redress in International and Domestic Human Rights Law
  • Briefing Paper - Findings on Te Tiriti/Treaty of Waitangi Principles and Māori Consultation identified in recent inquiries and reports relating to redress of Abuse in State Care
  • Issues paper - Redress (civil litigation)
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