We are focused on preventing future abuse

No child should ever go through what these victims went through.

Yet, in just looking forward, we repeat mistakes. The use of secure cupboards for autistic young children in schools. The Oranga Tamariki Bill that removes the state obligation to place removed Ma¯ ori children within their wha¯ nau, hapu or iwi.

These things would not occur if we really understood past abuse in state care. We would, instead, know that such treatments cause long-term depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, sociocultural isolation and self-hate. We would also know more about how we might structure our institutions and policies to find different solutions to difficult education, health, welfare or justice situations.

At this point, it is a moral and fiscal failure to avoid action.