Pacific survivor of state abuse wants justice for ageing survivors now

A Pasifika survivor of historic abuse asks the New Zealand Government for justice for herself and other aging survivors.

The newly released Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry's report has nearly 100 recommendations on how the Government can support survivors of abuse suffered while in New Zealand state and faith-based care between 1950 and 1999.

The majority of children taken into state care during this period were Māori and Pasifika. After being removed from their families some of them suffered significant abuse and neglect.

Survivor Frances Tagaloa said she was "really happy with the report and recommendations. It's a momentous occasion... a long time coming and more than what I expected."

The 53 year-old was sexually and emotionally abused, between the ages of 5 and 7, by the late Brother Bede Fitton, at the Marist Brothers Intermediate School in Ponsonby, Auckland.

Mrs Tagaloa was pleased that survivors were the focus of the report. She has been involved in this process for the last two years, and has been trying to seek redress for the abuse of herself and others since 2002. She said a formal apology was overdue and called on government to take action now.

"We need to see the government urgently put these recommendations into place. We can't wait until the Royal Commission completes their final report in 2023. Some of our survivors won't live until 2023... they need justice now."

Mrs Tagaloa also said she wanted to see Pasifika survivors involved in the design of the redress system and wanted the entire scheme to be survivor-lead.

"We know our people best and we know how to connect with our people. Relationships are needed and that's what's important, coming together to design something that will benefit Pasifika. If you are Pasifika, redress is through a Pasifika mindset. We have to do it this way, there is no other choice for a successful redress scheme."

The only Pasifika Commissioner, Ali'imuamua Sandra Alofivae said "there's a Pacific story to be told, and so we want to be the ones who tell it - from our perspective as Pacific peoples, and not have it put on us by others."

Speaking to survivors she said, "They have just been overwhelmed and grateful at the Government's response. We were confident in our report when we submitted it."

"Māori were disproportionately represented, but so were Pacific people as were people with disabilities, a lot of discussion is still yet to happen for the Government with these communities about what's going to make a difference for them to bring the healing, it's actually a restoration of mana required," Ms Alofivae said.