Making historic abuse claims

How to make a claim

To begin the claims process, you can either contact a lawyer or contact the relevant Ministry directly.

Using a lawyer

You do not need a lawyer to go through the historic claims process. However, a lawyer will be able to guide you through the process and let you know if there are any other options you might have, and whether you are receiving the best offer you are likely to receive.

If you decide to instruct a lawyer, you may be entitled to Legal Aid. Your lawyer will let you know if you are entitled to receive Legal Aid and guide you through the process. For more information, see the chapter “Legal Aid and other legal help” .

Making a claim directly, without a lawyer

If you decide not to use a lawyer, you can make a claim directly to the Ministry of Social Development by either:

  • writing to the Ministry of Social Development, Historic Claims, PO Box 1556, Wellington 6140
  • calling 0800 631 127 and asking to speak with a social work advisor in the Historic Claims team
  • emailing historicclaims@msd.govt.nz

You can find out more about making a claim on the Ministry of Social Development website at www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/historic-claims/index.html

You can make a claim directly to the Ministry of Education by either:

  • writing to the Ministry of Education, Historic Claims, Sector Enablement and Support, PO Box 1666, Wellington 6104
  • calling 0800 622 222 and select option 4
  • emailing sensitive.claims@education.govt.nz

You can find out more about making a claim on the Ministry of Education website at education.govt.nz/our-work/contact-us/regional-ministry-contacts/learning-support-services/historic-claims-for-abuse-or-neglect-at-a-residential-special-school

Next Section | Next steps

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Dealing with Oranga Tamariki / Ministry for Children

Where to go for more support

Community Law

www.communitylaw.org.nz

Your local Community Law Centre can provide free initial legal advice and information.

Oranga Tamariki / Ministry for Children

www.orangatamariki.govt.nz

Oranga Tamariki / Ministry for Children replaced Child, Youth and Family in April 2017. Its website has a range of information about the care and protection issues discussed in this chapter.

Phone: 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459)
Email: enquiry@ot.govt.nz

Family Court

www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice

The Family Court website has a wide variety of pamphlets and other information on issues relating to children. Access pamphlets online or order hard copies:

Phone: 0800 587 847
Email: publications@justice.govt.nz

Barnardos

www.barnardos.org.nz

Barnardos delivers a range of child and family services and early childhood care and education services throughout New Zealand. Barnardos also produces a range of fact sheets about children, parenting, child abuse and neglect, and school and family matters. For more information contact:

Phone: 0800 BARNARDOS (0800 227 627)
Email: information.sheets@barnardos.org.nz

Children’s Commissioner

www.occ.org.nz

Contact the Office of the Children’s Commissioner:

Phone: 0800 224 453
Email: advice@occ.org.nz

The Office of the Children’s Commissioner looks to ensure that children’s rights are respected and upheld. It advocates for the best interests of all children and young people in New Zealand.

VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai

www.voyce.org.nz

This is a non-government advocacy service for children and young people in state care. Set up in April 2017, “VOYCE” stands for “Voice of the Young and Care Experienced”.

Youthline Aotearoa

www.youthline.co.nz

Phone: 0800 37 66 33
Free text: 234
Email: talk@youthline.co.nz

Youthline provides free counselling, information and referral services.

Women’s Refuge

www.womensrefuge.org.nz

Women’s Refuge provides 24-hour support, advocacy and accommodation for women and their children experiencing family violence.

Crisis Line

Phone: 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843)

Women’s Refuge provides a free phone line for people anywhere in New Zealand. Get information, advice and support about family violence as well as help in a crisis.

Factsheets

A range of resources and fact sheets are available online.

Phone: (04) 802 5078
Email: info@refuge.org.nz

Office of the Ombudsman

www.ombudsman.parliament.nz

Free phone: 0800 802 602

Email: office@Ombudsman.parliament.nz

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