NEW ZEALAND: A wide-ranging independent inquiry into the abuse of children and vulnerable adults in care in New Zealand over the span of five decades released a blistering final report today that found the country’s state agencies and churches failed to prevent, stop or admit to the abuse of those they were supposed to look after.

The scale of the abuse was “unimaginable” with an estimated 200,000 people abused over seven decades, the report said. 

The report said that the scrutiny of state and faith-run institutions was lax and predators rarely faced repercussions.