(d) Provide information on the effectiveness of strategies for women from ethnic minorities, disabled
women and LGTBQI+ communities to prevent gender-based violence.
(e) Explain how the Government is tracking data on the experience of violence and abuse against disabled
women, women from Pacific and ethnic minority communities and transgender women.
(f) Provide information on the measures being taken to ensure all gender-based violence related services
are inclusive and accessible, and developed in consultation with disabled women.
Abuse in Care
15. The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care commenced in 2018 and continues to inquire into
what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults while in the care of the State or faithbased institutions.35 An interim report found that women and girls suffered distinct types of abuse and
harm while in care including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and being coerced or deceived into
giving their babies up for adoption.36
16. Those reports and further research presented to the Inquiry as part of a specific investigation into Māori
experiences in care,37 have shown that Māori have been over-represented in care for generations and
are impacted by abuse in care more than any other group.38 Independent research found that structural
and systemic racism across several Government organisations was responsible for the overrepresentation of Māori in State care.39
Recommendations:
(a) Provide information on the steps being taken to implement recommendations from report(s) of
the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.
(b) Provide information on steps being taken to support the rebuilding of Māori collective structures,
recognising Māori rangatiratanga (including self-determination) over their whānau and children,
and providing redress for victims of abuse.
Aftermath of the Christchurch terror attacks
21. The terrorist attacks on Christchurch Masjidain on 15 March 2019 has given rise to significant human
rights challenges. These challenges include countering online radicalisation and extremism,
discrimination and hate crime while enhancing social cohesion. Following the attacks, the Prime
Minister and the President of France initiated The Christchurch Call, joining governments and the tech
sector to eliminate online terrorism and extremism.40 A Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCOI) was
established to investigate the terrorist’s actions and response from public sector agencies. The Islamic
Women’s Council of New Zealand contributed a major submission to the RCOI which noted the failure
of public sector agencies to effectively support the Muslim community prior to the attacks.41 The RCOI
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Mainly between the years 1950-1999.
Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care “He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu: From Redress to Puretumu
Torowhānui” (December 2021) https://www.abuseincare.org.nz/our-progress/reports/from-redress-to-puretumu/ at 49.
Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care “Māori experiences of abuse in care”
https://www.abuseincare.org.nz/our-inquiries/maori-experience-of-abuse-in-care/; Dr C Savage et al (Ihi Research),
“Hāhā-uri, hāhā-tea - Māori Involvement in State Care 1950-1999” (July 2021)
https://abuseinquiryresponse.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Maori-research-report/Haha-uri-haha-tea-Maori-Involvement-inState-Care-1950-1999.pdf.
Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care “Tāwharautia: Pūrongo o te wā - Interim Report” (December
2020) https://www.abuseincare.org.nz/our-progress/library/v/194/tawharautia-purongo-o-te-wa-interim-report at 21.
Dr C Savage et al “Hāhā-uri, hāhā-tea” above n 37. The report found that successive Governments’ policies focused on
dismantling Māori communities and undermining family and tribal structures – which are central to the wellbeing of
women and children. The result is that Māori were, and continue to be, over-represented by up to ten times in the State
care system.
Christchurch Call “To eliminate terrorist & violent extremist content online” https://www.christchurchcall.com/.
Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand (IWCNZ) “Submissions to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Attack on
Christchurch Masjidain on 15 March 2019” (2 December 2019)
https://islamicwomenscouncilnz.co.nz/recommendations/.
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