Foster care abuse victim wants to see change in system
Hamilton woman Netta Christian’s life ambition is to influence change in a system that she says is “fundamentally flawed”.
Hamilton woman Netta Christian spent many years harbouring the trauma of her stolen childhood.
She finally broke her silence in 2011, detailing the physical, psychological and sexual abuse that she was subjected to as a state ward in the 1940s and 50s.
care age raised from 17 to 21 years. Photo: Supplied
It has since become her life ambition to influence change in a system that she says is “fundamentally flawed”.
A few months ago, Christian established the New Zealand branch of an Australian support group, known as Care Leavers Australasia Network, or CLAN.
She runs the branch with Pat McNair, the wife of a care leaver and also CLAN’s New Zealand representative.
Both women are supporting a petition to see the New Zealand foster care age raised from 17 to 21 years.
“With no support network and no place to call home, many young care leavers struggle,” says Christian.
“Leaving state care at 17 means that many teenagers end up on the street, unemployed, lonely or in prison.”
The online petition, organised by Action Station, has reached close to 7000 signatures so far, with a goal of 10,000.
Action Station is a not-for-profit agency that advocates and campaigns on a range of issues.
Christian hopes that the current CYF review prompts public awareness surrounding state care abuse within New Zealand.
“This is the perfect opportunity for Kiwis to show that we don’t stop caring when our young people in state care turn 17,” she says.
CLAN NZ would like to see New Zealand follow Australia’s lead, where there is a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Christian believes that, with enough members, CLAN NZ will be strong enough to act as a collective voice for all care abuse victims.
Support is available for anyone within New Zealand who is over the age of 18 and qualifies as a care leaver, whether they have been raised in a home or in an institutional environment.
“A lot of people just need someone to talk to. It’s often that they have never, ever told anyone about the abuse that happened to them as a child,” says McNair.
“Often they have tried to tell people in the past but they haven’t been believed, or their needs have been minimalised.”
“I’ve dealt with it and I’ve moved on, but a lot of people can’t,” Christian adds. “A lot of people are very damaged.
“We listen to their stories and we see what we can do for them. Everyone wants to help each other. Everyone wants to tell their story.”
Now a widowed grandmother of three, Christian was taken away from her special-needs mother and made a state ward at six months of age.
She has since gone on to publish an autobiography and speak at community organisations.
In the future, CLAN NZ hopes to expand to locations outside of Hamilton and make connections with other likeminded organisations.
Christian has dedicated the rest of her life to helping fellow abuse victims begin the healing process. She is calling upon all care leavers of New Zealand to make contact with her.
“They’re like the brothers and sisters we never had. We mould together like a family.”
- To contact Netta, phone 022 1918 713 or email neta38@xtra.co.nz.
