Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Warning: This story discusses the sexual and physical abuse of children and young people.
“Sexual abuse was pervasive. Some deaf children and young people were raped and sexually abused by staff and older peers. Boarders were particularly at risk of sexual abuse in the boarding hostels due to the unsupervised environment. Some survivors were sexually assaulted by peers in front of staff, who did nothing.”
The neglect, violence and racism towards children and teenagers at Kelston School for the Deaf in Auckland and Van Asch College in Christchurch is catalogued in the report into abuse in care.
An NZSL video of some of the survivors’ stories from RNZ which ran on Morning Report on Friday, 8 November:
The inquiry’s report said students could often not complain at the time because they could not communicate with their parents.
It said most of the deaf survivors the inquiry heard from have not sought or received redress for the abuse they suffered at Van Asch College (Van Asch) and Kelston School for the Deaf (Kelston). In some cases, survivors were unaware that they could do so.
The inquiry said one Māori survivor, LF, sought redress from Kelston for physical and emotional abuse he suffered by a teacher that the inquiry referred to as 222.
He said the process was lengthy, stressful, retraumatising and impacted his whānau.
The Ministry of Education undertook an investigation into the complaint. Crown Law advised in July 2016 the investigation found there was no documentary evidence of 222 hitting children and young people before 1990.
LF considered he was being punished for Kelston’s poor record-keeping.
“The letter further advised that 222 had been investigated by NZ Police, but no prosecution was brought because there was no evidence. After three years of fighting for redress, he was offered $5000 as settlement for being smacked by 222. He rejected the offer,” the report said.
“LF ultimately settled his claim in 2018 for $10,000 and he received an apology from the Ministry of Education.”
A report of RNZ’s coverage of the government apology from 12 November:
The following is part of the prime minister’s apology to survivors.
“I am apologising on behalf of the government to everyone who suffered abuse, harm and neglect while in care.
“I make this apology to all survivors on behalf of my own and previous governments.
“You deserved so much better. And I am deeply sorry that New Zealand did not do better by you.
“I am sorry you were not believed when you came forward to report your abuse.
“I am sorry that many bystanders – staff, volunteers and carers – turned a blind eye and failed to stop or report abuse.
“I am sorry the state’s oversight of people in care was so poor.
“I am sorry that many abusers were not made to face justice which meant that other people experienced abuse that could have been prevented.
“I am sorry the state did not act quickly and boldly enough to put much better protection in place for people in all care locations, and that those acting on behalf of the Crown lost sight of you – the people behind the claims.
“Everyone in care was vulnerable to abuse, but some people suffered even more harm because of who they were.
“Many Māori, Pacific, deaf and disabled people suffered harsher treatment than others.
“Māori and Pacific children suffered racial discrimination and disconnection from their families, language and culture.
“Blind children were denied access to books in braille. Deaf children were punished for using sign language.”
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