Chair of the Dilworth Independent Inquiry, Dame Silvia Cartwright, and Co-Inquirer Frances Joychild QC have announced the beginning of their Inquiry and launch of the Inquiry website (www.dilworthinquiry.org.nz) on 1 July 2022.
From that date, survivors (past or present), their parents, siblings or other whānau, and people who have information relevant to the Inquiry, will be able to register to take part.
They can register a number of ways:
1. Through the Inquiry’s website at www.dilworthinquiry.org.nz/participating-in-the-inquiry/
2. Emailing the Inquiry at [email protected]
3. Calling the Inquiry on 0800 888 743 between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Survivors (past or present), their parents, siblings or other whānau, and people who have information relevant to the Inquiry, will be able to choose to meet confidentially with the Inquiry in person to provide their information, or alternatively provide a written statement to the Inquiry.
If a survivor has previously prepared a written statement about their time at Dilworth School for the Police, the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care, or for any other purpose, the survivor can provide this to the Inquiry or consent to the Inquiry obtaining a copy of their statement.
All statements will be treated in confidence. If the Inquiry wishes to discuss survivor information with anyone the Inquiry will ask the survivor’s permission first.
Dame Silvia and Frances say “We are looking forward to the opportunity to hear from survivors (past or present), their parents, siblings or other whānau, and people who have information relevant to the Inquiry. We recognise that it takes tremendous courage for survivors to speak about abuse and we are committed to finding out how and why it happened. The Inquiry is a private Inquiry with no mandate to determine criminal or civil liability. However, we hope our final report and its recommendations will help prevent any further harm to the Dilworth community.
Our investigations will be conducted completely independently and we plan to leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of the truth. We acknowledge and value the Dilworth Trust Board’s pledge to cooperate fully with our Inquiry. This will include the Board providing to the Inquiry, information in the Board’s possession and helping the Inquiry to hear from past and present School staff and Board members. It is essential we hear from past Dilworth School employees to ensure we understand all of what occurred within the School. We therefore encourage anyone with information to contact us.
The Inquiry is committed to managing information it receives in accordance with principles of sensitivity, confidentiality, and privacy. Our privacy statement published on our website makes clear to participants how their personal information will be collected, used and shared.”
Dame Silvia and Frances have also announced the appointment of their Inquiry staff. Auckland Barrister Chris Merrick (Te Whakapiko o Ngāti Manaia, Ma’ufanga, Niua, Tonga) will be the Inquiry’s Lawyer, Phillipa Mitchell has been appointed Legal Assistant and Mike Wesley-Smith will be Head of the Inquiry Secretariat and a member of the Inquiry’s legal team.
Support for Participants
The Inquiry is committed to maintaining the wellness of all those who choose to participate in the process. Everyone involved in the Inquiry will have access to the Wellness Unit and its team of trained professionals who have experience working with survivors of abuse and trauma.
Wellness Navigators will assist those registering to participate in the Inquiry, provide support, and make referrals to counselling and other support services. The Unit is using a care coordination and facilitation model. This means navigators will connect survivors, whānau and all participants to support whilst managing the flow of information between the Inquiry, survivors, and any necessary supports. Wellness Navigators will strive to uphold the principles of trauma informed care based on the tikanga Māori of aroha (love), manaakitanga (care), whanaungatanga (maintaining relationships) and kaitiakitanga (ensuring necessary protection and care is in place in our processes). Whatever the background of participants, the Wellness Unit will work with them, their whānau or support people to ensure their needs are met.
The Inquiry will cover travel expenses, accommodation and counselling for survivors, as well as access to a support person to assist those participating in the Inquiry process. Additional support may include the continuation of services already provided through the Dilworth Listening Service or any other counselling or therapy the survivor already receives. If the Inquiry considers it necessary, legal costs associated with participation in the Inquiry will also be covered.
About Dame Silvia Cartwright and Frances Joychild QC.
Dame Silvia’s career includes her role as New Zealand’s 18th Governor-General, as well as becoming New Zealand’s first female Chief District Court Judge in 1989 and first female High Court Judge in 1993. She has considerable experience leading inquiries, including the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission’s handling of the Canterbury earthquake claims, and the 1988 Cartwright Inquiry into cervical cancer treatment at Auckland’s National Women’s Hospital.
Frances is an experienced advocate with more than 25 years’ experience in issues relating to human rights, professional negligence, sexual harassment, bullying, and abuse and assault. She represented the interests of more than 300 Lake Alice survivors before the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care in 2021, and conducted the 2015 Inquiry into the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference (Terms of Reference Te reo Maori) for the Inquiry will guide its work. It has been finalised by Dame Silvia and Frances following completion of an extensive feedback process by the Board on the proposed terms involving survivors, those affected by abuse and the wider Dilworth community. Legal representatives of survivors also provided substantive contributions to the Terms of Reference.
Final Report
The Inquiry intends to provide its report to the Board before the end of 2022, though it may request an extension if it considers it necessary. Survivors will be notified in advance of any extension of time required.
Inquiry Contact for the Media – [email protected]