December 05, 2016
Too much evidence to deny systemic abuse
Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell has joined the chorus for an inquiry into the historic abuse of children in state care.
Judge Carolyn Henwood, who chaired the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service which heard from some of the 100,000 children taken from their families between the 1940s and 1990s, has recommended an inquiry as well as a general apology.
But Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says the abuse was not systemic so no inquiry is needed.
Mr Flavell says there clearly was a system problem.
"I think there are too many examples for us just to ignore. When these issues come up, you can understand if there was just two or three but but if there is a hell of a lot more you have got to take some action and look at it in a little bit more depth," he says.
Mr Flavell says the public also needs assurance that there will be proper oversight included in the current reform of the state care system for children and young people.
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