SupportWe have listed below information about how to make a claim, request personal records or access support from government agencies or community services: > lodge claims for historical abuse > access help and support from government agencies or community services Report current care concerns These services are available if you have concerns about someone’s current care or situation:
To access help or support from the Royal Commission you can:
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Make a claimYou can make a claim of historic abuse or neglect with the Ministry of Social Development if you were in the care, custody, guardianship, or came to the notice of the Child Welfare Division, the Department of Social Welfare, the New Zealand Children and Young Persons Service or Child, Youth and Family before 1 April 2017. For more information, including how you can start the claims process, please go to the Ministry of Social Development, Historic Claims web page.(external link) If you were abused or neglected while in the care of Oranga Tamariki (after 1 April 2017) you can make a claim with Oranga Tamariki. For more information, please go to the Oranga Tamariki claims web page(external link). If you were abused or neglected at a residential special school run by the Department of Education before 1989, you can make a historic claim with the Ministry of Education. If you were abused or neglected at a former psychiatric institution, you can make a historic claim with the Ministry of Health. For more information, please contact the Ministry of Health Historic Abuse Resolution Service.(external link) Crown Confidentiality Waiver The Crown has waived confidentiality for anyone who has a settlement for a historic abuse claim, so you can share any information about your settlement agreement with the Royal Commission. |
The United Nations Committee Against Torture reports on the Child and Adolescent Unit at Lake Alice HospitalIn July 2017, Mr Paul Zentveld submitted a complaint to the United Nations Committee Against Torture (the UNCAT) claiming a violation of his rights under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the Convention) relating to his experiences as a child in the Child and Adolescent Unit at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital. The UNCAT issued a report on its decision(external link) regarding the complaint in December 2019, which urged New Zealand to:
The New Zealand Government provided the UNCAT with a response to the report in April 2020 [PDF, 95 KB]. Further observations were provided to the UNCAT in January 2021. The observations noted that since February 2020 the New Zealand Police has been conducting an in-depth investigation into complaints about the Child and Adolescent Unit, which Mr Zentveld and his representatives have been updated on, and the UNCAT decision has been made public on the New Zealand Police website(external link) via the Royal Commission, and through a number of major media items. As a result of the Police investigation a former Lake Alice staff member has been charged and is awaiting trial. In March 2018, Mr Malcolm Richards submitted a complaint to the UNCAT claiming a violation of his rights under the Convention relating to his experiences as a child in the Child and Adolescent Unit at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital. The UNCAT issued a report on its decision [PDF, 370 KB] regarding the complaint in June 2022, which urged New Zealand to:
The New Zealand Government provided the UNCAT with a response to the report in September 2022 [PDF, 232 KB]. As part of the Royal Commission’s investigation into abuse in psychiatric care it is investigating the Child and Adolescent Unit as a case study. The Royal Commission held a public hearing into the Unit on 14–29 June 2021(external link). Findings on the Unit are expected to be included in a Royal Commission report(s). Release of Lake Alice Report On Thursday 15 December 2022, the Royal Commission’s Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit case study report was presented to Parliament. It describes the horrific experiences of children and young people at the Unit during its short existence in the 1970s. The report details many areas where State agencies failed patients at the Unit. It also discusses a series of investigations into what happened there - many Lake Alice survivors say these have delivered unsatisfactory results for them. The Government’s statement on the Lake Alice report is here: Royal Commission Lake Alice report | Beehive.govt.nz(external link) |
Help and support servicesThe following covers information about support available from government agencies or community services, not from the Royal Commission. Information about the help and support the Royal Commission provides is here(external link).
Alcohol and Drug Helpline(external link) 0800 787 797 or online chat for people dealing with an alcohol or other drug problem; 10 am to 10 pm) Anxiety phone line(external link) 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY) Depression Helpline(external link) 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions) Family Services 211 Helpline(external link) 0800 211 211 for help finding (and direct transfer to) community based health and social support services in your area. Lifeline(external link) 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Aotearoa New Zealand(external link) Need to talk?(external link) Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor OUTline NZ(external link) 0800 688 5463 (OUTLINE) provides confidential telephone support for sexuality or gender identity issues; 9 am to 9 pm weekdays, and 6 pm to 8 pm weekends) Rape Crisis(external link) 0800 883 300 (for support after rape or sexual assault) Safe to talk(external link) (Available 24/7) 0800 044 334, free txt 4334, email support@safetotalk.nz Free and confidential information and support from trained counsellors for people affected by sexual harm in any way. Samaritans(external link) 0800 726 666 Skylight(external link) 0800 299 100 for trauma, loss and grief; 9am–5pm weekdays SNAP - Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests(external link) Providing peer support for women and men wounded by religious and institutional authorities (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns, coaches, teachers, and others) Suicide Crisis(external link) Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Supporting Families in Mental Illness(external link) For families and whānau supporting a loved one who has a mental illness. Auckland 0800 732 825. Victim Support(external link) This free service provides emotional and practical support, information, financial assistance, referral to other support services and advocacy for the rights of victims. Youthline(external link) 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat. |