And it should never have happened,” Luxon said, as he spoke to lawmakers and a public gallery packed with survivors of the abuse.
An estimated 200,000 people in state, foster and faith-based care suffered “unimaginable” abuse over a period of seven decades, a blistering report released in July said at the end of the largest inquiry ever undertaken in New Zealand.
“For many of you it changed the course of your life, and for that, the government must take responsibility,” Luxon said.
“Words do matter and I say these words with sincerity: I have read your stories, and I believe you,” he added.
Of 650,000 children and vulnerable adults in state, foster, and church care between 1950 and 2019 — in a country that today has a population of 5 million — nearly a third endured physical, sexual, verbal or psychological abuse.
Persons:
Christopher Luxon, ” Luxon
Organizations:
New Zealand AP, Zealand’s
Locations:
Wellington, New Zealand