The comprehensive and above all, honest, finding of the Royal Commission’s Inquiry into abuse in state care has renewed the hope that I and my fellow Survivors will finally receive effective redress and help to overcome the terrible crimes the state committed against us. The report recognition of what was done to us as children is itself a very important component.
I woke up this morning with a gladdened heart, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and felt the lifting of a burden that I have been fighting my whole life, since being put in the hell hole that was Epuni.
They called it a Boy’s Home, but it was anything but a home. Many survivor’s feel the same.
It was overwhelming seeing this bipartisan and obviously heart felt way in which our politicians responded. I am confident most of its findings will be translated into action.
I hope that action will come quickly, as every week that goes by, more survivors pass away. I myself am 68 in a couple of days, and just like Ozzyu did. I think New Zealand is finally recognising its stolen generation.
My heartfelt thanks and gratitude go out to the Royal Commission, particularly Judge Coral Shaw and it’s staff for it is enormous work they have to put into the report.
Dedication is nowhere near sufficient to describe how they went about their onerous, and at times, terribly sad and emotionally draining task. “THANK YOU!!”.
This report is a Taonga, for all kiwi’s, particularly us survivors !!