Stuff Digital Edition

Disabled survivors wait on apology and redress

Olivia Shivas

Disabled survivors and whānau members say they appreciate the Crown’s acknowledgement that disabled people were abused in state institutions but believe there is still a long way to go.

While he was encouraged by the acknowledgement from officials at the Ministry of Health and Whaikaha-Ministry of Disabled People at the institutional response hearing at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, disabled survivor Jonathan Mosen said it was only the ‘‘first step’’.

‘‘Many disabled people are waiting. As a survivor, I am waiting to understand what the apology will look like, what redress looks like,’’ he said. ‘‘But having governments acknowledge in a formal way, by way of that testimony, the abuse that we have suffered, is progress.’’

Margaret Priest, who was a witness at the disability hearing, alongside her sister, Irene, who was institutionalised as a child, said she was heartened that the Crown recognised abuse occurred and that it could not be justified.

Royal commission assisting counsel Ruth Thomas read historical evidence during the hearing that illustrated a ‘‘shameful picture of humanity’’.

She read out a Department of Health memorandum note dated 1976 that described four children were in isolation for more than one year at Tokanui Hospital because of shigella, an infection that causes diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps. She also described residents arriving at the Kimberly Centre being able to speak but leaving no longer able to talk.

Dr Diana Sarfati, the directorgeneral of health, said the type of care that happened between 1950-1999 would not be acceptable today, and that disability and health standards of care had improved since then. ‘‘Any form of abuse is completely unacceptable

and a suite of measures have been implemented that should ensure that patients are much better, and cared for appropriately.’’

Sarfati admitted there was still systemic institutional racism in the health and disability sector today but there was a lot of effort and focus on addressing the issues.

Dr John Crawshaw, the Ministry of Health’s director of mental health and addiction, said historical abusive behaviours towards disabled people were ‘‘criminal’’ – they should not have been acceptable back in the day or now.

Acting chief executive of Whaikaha Geraldine Woods said the state historically failed to consistently and meaningfully support the cultural needs of disabled people who were often disconnected from their culture, language and identity. She acknowledged the impact of the abuse and neglect was ongoing for survivors and whānau.

Despite the acknowledgements, Mosen is still frustrated disabled people are not being listened to. ‘‘I’m not convinced that we are going to see real, genuine, systemic change. I think a lot of it is window dressing.’’

Priest said, despite a commitment from government agencies not to repeat the errors of the past, she had little confidence there was effective monitoring, oversight and safeguarding mechanisms to ensure the safety of disabled people.

Woods said Whaikaha was on a journey of transformational change to ensure that abuse would never happen again. She was brought to tears as she acknowledged and thanked disabled people for sharing their stories with the royal commission.

‘‘Any form of abuse is completely unacceptable.’’ Dr Diana Sarfati Director-general of health

National News

en-nz

2022-08-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://stuff.pressreader.com/article/281590949353098

Stuff Limited