The Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft says ongoing revelations about abuse in Oranga Tamariki residences highlights the need for the Royal Commission on Abuse in State Care to have its mandate extended to hear contemporary cases.
Andrew Becroft praised the decision to close down the Christchurch residence after a video emerged of staff forcibly restraining young people.
He says the Royal Commission can’t investigate complaints about incidents that happened after the year 2000, even though it’s clear abuse is happening.
"It's going to cost money downstream if we need another Royal Commission and if there are children needlessly involved later on as adults in the mental health system, social welfare system, even Corrections. We don't want it. It would be the wise and sensible and screamingly obvious thing to do to get a full picture," Commissioner Becroft says.
He says an up to date picture is needed to build a better system for the future, and saying it will save money not to investigate is illusory.
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