The Royal Commission into Abuse in Care will be holding their Disability, Deaf, and Mental Health institutional care public hearing from July 11-20.
The public hearing will be live-streamed, include New Zealand Sign Language interpreters and audio described, captioned evidence.
- Read information about the hearing in Braille, Niuean, Samoan, Cook Island’s Māori and Te Reo Māori.
- Watch the NZSL video with information about the hearing
Watch the hearing
The hearing is being held from July 11-20. Survivors and members of the public are welcome to attend in person or to watch the hearing live stream.
In person: Tii Tu Tahi, the Royal Commission’s hearing space at Level 2, 414 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Tāmaki-Makaurau Auckland (entrance via Kingdon St). An accessibility audit of the space has been carried out.
Those planning to attend the hearing in person who have accessibility considerations or questions are invited to contact: contact@abuseincare.org.nz or call 0800 222 727, to talk about what you’ll need. The commission can plan ahead to make sure you are comfortable getting to and from the venue and during the hearing.
Online: From 11 July, the hearing will be livestreamed from abuseincare.org.nz
For more information about watching the hearing, hearing space accessibility, the hearing schedule and witness summaries, visit the Disability, Deaf, and Mental Health institutional care hearing webpage, or call the commission contact centre on 0800 222 727
**Warning** The hearing includes graphic descriptions of abuse and neglect which may cause difficult emotional or psychological distress. If you would like to talk to a support person there are a range telephone helplines or services listed on the commission's website that offer support, information and help. All services are free.
Survivor shares story of abuse through art
The inquiry has received evidence through art, poetry, music, New Zealand Sign Language and both augmentative and facilitated communication.
Survivor and artist Catherine Daniels will share her experience of abuse in care through her art at the public hearing.
Catherine spoke to Stuff reporter Olivia Shivas about how, through sculpture, she found a unique way to express the childhood trauma and sexual abuse she experienced from a young age over many years: Abuse in Care: Survivor shares story of sexual abuse through sculpture to find freedom.