Royal Commission seeks faith-based abuse survivors for redress hearings

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care wants to hear from survivors of abuse suffered in faith-based care who later sought redress from the Church or other faith institution or through civil legal action.

It is seeking survivors to tell their stories as it prepares for its Faith-based Redress Public Hearings, to be held from 23 November to 11 December.

It will be investigating the adequacy of the redress process of the Catholic Church, Anglican Church and the Salvation Army, and what needs to be done to support people who have been abused or neglected in Faith-based institutions.

Te Rōpū Tautoko – the group coordinating Catholic engagement with the Royal Commission on Abuse in Care – has been asked by the Royal Commission to distribute information about the faith-based hearings.

The Catholic Church encourages  survivors of abuse in the care of the Church to share their stories with the Royal Commission. The Bishops and Congregational Leaders of the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand participate in the processes of the Inquiry, through Te Rōpū Tautoko, acknowledging those who have been wounded in their care.

If you or someone you know wishes to share a story, please go directly  to this Royal Commission link.

Go to this Royal Commission PDF document for important information on the Faith-based Redress Hearing.

Visit the Royal Commission’s website.

Go here to read  a statement from the Catholic Church of  Aaotearoa New Zealand welcoming the inclusion of the Church and other faith-based bodies in the scope of the Royal Commission.

Visit Te Rōpū Tautoko’s website for information on how the Church is helping the Royal Commission.

And go here for the website of the Church’s National Office for Professional Standards, which helps abuse survivors and arranges independent investigations into abuse