Acknowledging state abuse in New Zealand

Dr Stanley asks how acknowledgement of state abuse can be undertaken in a way that goes beyond lip service.

Provost Lecture Series

June 2018

The New Zealand Government recently established a Royal Commission of Inquiry to expose long-silenced experiences of sexual, physical and psychological abuse inflicted against children (and adults) in state care.

Following her research with 105 New Zealand survivors, Elizabeth Stanley asks how this acknowledgement of state abuse can be undertaken in a way that goes beyond lip service. In doing so, she draws upon her two decades of research on official responses to massive human rights violations. This unusual criminological journey—encompassing work with victims in South Africa, Chile and Timor-Leste—raises useful lessons for those who deal with state abuse in New Zealand.

The Provost Lecture Series is hosted by Victoria University of Wellington Provost Wendy Larner and brings together local and international speakers to discuss the world of academia—interesting research, personal journeys and the future of universities.

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