A comprehensive independent inquiry in New Zealand has unveiled a scathing final report that exposes the widespread abuse of children and vulnerable adults in care over a period of five decades. The report, released by the Royal Commission, highlighted the failure of state agencies and churches to prevent, stop, or acknowledge the abuse inflicted on those under their care, even when they were aware of it.
The inquiry described the scale of abuse as 'unimaginable,' with lax oversight of state and faith-run institutions and a lack of consequences for predators. It revealed that nearly a third of the 650,000 children and vulnerable adults in state, foster, and church care between 1950 and 1999 experienced physical, sexual, verbal, or psychological abuse, while many others suffered exploitation or neglect.
