Remembering our promises to survivors two years on from Whanaketia

On the second anniversary of the release of Whanaketia, the final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, Te Pai Ora SSPA is calling for the experiences of survivors to be honoured through action.

Tu Chapman, abuse in care survivor advocate and member of Te Pai Ora SSPA’s abuse in

care advisory group says: “Two years on Mōrehu are still feeling the taumaha of the report’s release. There is still lots of mahi to do.”

Te Pai Ora SSPA Chief Executive Belinda Himiona agrees: “Survivors courageously relived their horrific experiences in care in the hopes that it would lead to change, but two years on many of the Inquiry’s recommendations have not been actioned, many survivors are still waiting for justice and the support they need, and vulnerable adults and tamariki are still being abused in care.”

“We must do better.”

For the social services sector, this means bringing organisations committed to actioning the Inquiry’s recommendations into a powerful collective movement for change. Te Pai Ora SSPA has today released A Commitment to Move from Darkness to Light, a sector-wide initiative where organisations will collaborate to transform the care system.

“We are a sector that cares deeply and we do an incredible job in providing services to mokopuna and whānau. We are committed to continually improving care, lifting our practices and learning how to provide survivors with the support they need to heal. The Commitment will coordinate, align and amplify our efforts,” Belinda explains.

Te Pai Ora SSPA is inviting all organisations involved in care and protection to join the Commitment and become part of a collaborative work programme aiming at improving care, strengthening policies, improving training and building practice leadership.

Belinda is calling on politicians to take a similar approach and commit to cross-party collaboration to ensure that the recommendations from the Inquiry are implemented and that the state’s apology and promises to survivors are backed up with action.

“Without that action, the Government’s apology risks being empty. We need to see more survivor-informed practice, greater commitment to a care system that believes children and devolution of care to communities.”

Te Pai Ora SSPA also wants 12 November, the date of the Government’s apology to survivors to become an annual Day of Reflection. “This would set aside a day every year for New Zealand to remember our commitments to survivors and reflect on what we are doing to ensure all adults and children in care are safe and nurtured,” Belinda says.