Kia ora koutou, the enquiry into abuse of children in care (both State and Private) is revealing some awful truths about human nature, that is, about us. What is it about adult humans that makes some of us torture, sexually abuse, beat and bully children while the rest of us collude in the practice by either not revealing the ugly nature of it or by not believing the children when they said what had happened? Do we simply shut our minds, turn away, because we cannot bear to think about it?

And in the case of the churches, even when they did believe the kids, the church leaders simply moved the cleric, priest, or (if they were Salvation Army) Captain, on to another parish. If a Roman Catholic priest confessed to another priest, it was (still is I suppose) regarded as part of the confidentiality of the confessional which, when it boils down, means do nothing.

I understand that readers and listeners to these stories are horrified and repelled, simply do not want to talk or think about them. The ugly side of human nature does not go down well over a friendly cup of coffee, an office party or at a work depot, and that sometimes the victims have not lived the rest of their lives well so do not attract empathy.

Lake Alice and the practices there, ordered and overseen by a Dr Selwyn Leek, have been known about for years and years. Adults who were once children there have told us, some staff have told us, but neither the State bureaucrats, private individuals (nurses, doctors, admin staff) or churches, did anything about the complaints, the witness evidence, the letters regarding these practices, until recently when the churches made their belated  apologies. Even on this morning’s RNZ news, I hear that Pope Francis is dragging the chain on making a ruling against priests who are guilty of these abuses.

I accept that in the case of colleagues, status had a lot to do with it, that someone lower down the scale, in terms of job, salary, training, experience etc, might not be prepared, or might be scared, to take on their bosses, or might think, they’ve had more experience, they know what they’re doing. I also understand that it takes a lot to speak or write now about those doubts and fears that stopped them from taking any action and I respect and admire the courage of those who have done so.

But there’s also those who knew and who colluded with the doctor, because they knew they could get away with it, knew those same bosses would turn a blind eye. Some of us enjoy being big and having control of those who are smaller and weaker than us. Colleagues at schools like Dilworth must at least be asking themselves a few serious questions about then and now. Collusion can simply be turning a blind eye to what is happening in the next room. Other schools and colleges not named, well not yet anyway, are more than likely asking themselves the same ugly questions.

Its not who you know its who you can get to pull strings so the truth is smudged or not allowed to be revealed at all. Which is why its taken a long time for the Enquiry to get into gear. Naturally its taking a long time to hear the stories, to bring them to public attention. You have to marvel at the courage and stamina of those who kept going in spite of repeated setbacks and the ‘don’t want to know’ response from the State and the private institutions. When the State is at fault there are so many blocks put in the way of those who seek to bring it to account.

However, we can show our admiration and support for those who kept up the struggle by not turning away from the evidence now because we find it upsetting. We can read, listen, offer comfort and support.

So this Busk is a tip of the hat thank you to those who kept going, lawyers who persisted in banging on the doors that were shut in their faces, those children who were called liars (and worse) and thank you also to everyone who supports and comforts those children, now adults, those who’ve had the courage to keep knocking at the door of the State and finally make them (and us) listen.

Kia ora e iwi toa

Renée