Date confirmed for abuse in care survivors national day

This will take place on the one year anniversary of the Prime Minister’s official apology at Parliament to abuse in care survivors.

Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford said a $1 million contestable fund would be available for local and regional events.

“Survivors have indicated they would like to mark the day in their own way and their preference is for survivor focused groups and organisations to hold local, regional or national events.”

Up to $10,000 would be available for local events and up to $25,000 for regional events, she said.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon promised a National Remembrance Day in his apology to survivors in Parliament last year, Radio New Zealand reported.

Ms Stanford said the day aimed to acknowledge survivors of abuse in care, raise awareness about a part of New Zealand’s history, and remind people of Government progress in responding to the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

But one survivor said the day felt like “symbolic lip service” with many survivors still waiting for justice or fair redress.

Anyone who has a concern or complaint about abuse in a Catholic setting is encouraged to contact the Police or the Church’s National Office for Professional Standards on 0800 114 622.

FULL STORY

Date of national day to acknowledge abuse in care survivors announced with $1m fund for local events – NZ Herald (By Julia Gabel/New Zealand Herald)

Government to fund one-off national day of reflection for survivors of abuse in care (Radio New Zealand)