An acknowledgement of historic injustice against former patients of New Zealand psychiatric hospitals

Between July 2005 and April 2007 a Confidential Forum was held for former In-patients of psychiatric hospitals. Over 400 former patients, including people with intellectual disability spoke about their experiences. The final report of the Confidential Forum Te Aiotonga (2007, available from www.dia.govt.nz) outlines the themes that emerged including occurrences of physical violence and sexual misconduct; and de-humanising environments. The report has never been formally acknowledged by the government.

A United Nations report on New Zealand’s compliance with the UN convention against torture in 2009 recommended that the NZ government should take appropriate measures to ensure that allegations of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in the "historic cases" are investigated promptly and impartially, perpetrators duly prosecuted, and the victims accorded redress, including adequate compensation and rehabilitation." This has never occurred.

Phoenix Group, a Wellington group of people who have experienced mental distress and other consumer groups around New Zealand are using the publicity surrounding the release of Jim Marbrooks Mental Notes to call on the government for formal recognition and an apology.