A woman abused at home and in foster care says all she really wants is for people to hear her story and that her abuse never happens again to any other child.
Elison Mae at Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. Photo: Royal Commission of Inquiry
She was one of three survivors giving evidence to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care at the opening on Monday of its inquiry into the foster care system between 1950 and 1999.
Elison Mae, who is now 67 was put into care as her parents could not provide the basic requirements of food and shelter.
After being in a few placements, Elison, who was three, and her younger brother were returned home to her parents, but remained state wards.
The home still lacked most things, but it did now have a number of boarders.
She was sexually abused but did not understand what was happening to her.
''It was the beginning of that journey of worthlessness because that was the only way I could make sense for what was going on for me.''
Three months later it all went belly up and she and her brother, and also a new baby girl, were all taken into state care.
Photos of Elison taken at this time were shown to the inquiry at her request.
''I am telling my story but it's not actually the 67-year old woman's story. This is the story of this little girl and I think it is important for people to see that because you forget, I certainly forgot her for a long time and I am her. And also it is my way of honouring this little girl.''
She ended up in another placement for two years, which she describes as loving and safe, but at he age of five it was back home to her parents again.
The next three years were abusive and violent, particularly from her mother.
''Although there was a lot of sexual abuse, I knew I wasn't going to die, but I didn't know if I was going to die with my mother.''
She said the authorities knew what was going on but did nothing,
Other placements came and she stayed in the final one, which was with a loving family, until she went to university.
Elison said she decided to go public to the Royal Commission for one reason - she does not want any other little girl or boy to go through what she did.
''The State was right to look at my situation and go, 'these people are not okay'. But I understand my mum and dad, they had their issues. The State became my parent. What was their excuse, because if they were parents, they would have their kids removed from them. I don't understand why nobody did anything.''
Worked like a slave
EH (79) was sexually, physically and psychologically abused over 17 years in foster care.
This included being placed on farms and made to work like a slave.
He had a message for the Commissioners.
''Do not please put children way the hell out on farms like I was put, because it's not right and if you can keep them with whānau, fair enough, but not the older whānau. To me its wrong. I think you should put them with the younger ones. Let them bring them up. Check out please where you are putting the children and that those foster parents have been vetted.''
