Breaking through the taboo of talking about abuse in state care

Those affected by abuse in state care in Aotearoa continue to make their voices heard.

The Abuse in Care Royal Commission Enquiry held its second event recently, a safe space for more of those affected by abuse to have a talanoa about what they’ve experienced.

Chair of the Survivor Experience Services Board, Frances Tagaloa, spoke on Pacific Mornings about the program and how it caters to Pacific people and the importance of stepping forward.

“There’s a real taboo in our Pacifica culture, about sharing or talking about abuse. We really want to break through that because it’s not helpful for survivors.

“Survivors of abuse need to be able to talk about their abuse and that helps the healing process, it helps us on our healing journey.”

The inquiry enables those impacted to access services such as counselling, or support to make ACC sensitive claims.

Roughly 3,800 have made the commission aware of an abuse in state care case since July 2023, with around 2,400 being survivors.

Close to 44 per cent are Māori with just 6 per cent of those are Pacific people.

But Tagaloa, as a survivor herself, feels that is not a true reflection of the reality

“Because Māori and Pasifika often experience the same types of abuse, in the same location, same spaces.

“So we know there are more survivors of abuse in care out there; they just haven’t come forward to the commission.”

Watch the full interview with Frances Tagaloa below