The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) acknowledges this momentous day for Lake Alice survivors and acknowledges government’s commitment to supporting them and their whānau. 

Today is undoubtedly difficult for survivors, their whānau, and uri of those who suffered abuse, neglect, systemic injustices, trauma, and their enduring impact.

No one should be harmed in a place where they go to seek care, especially not by those charged with providing that care. 

The RANZCP also commends the Royal Commission on its work in highlighting the experiences of survivors. It’s work over the past six years has given survivors a voice, and as seen in the New Zealand Parliament today, has finally brought the recognition survivors deserved.

The RANZCP now looks forward to the delivery of the redress system, Puretumu Torowhānui. This is crucial for providing healing, justice, and redress to survivors and their whānau, and for establishing the safeguards necessary to protect tāngata whai ora now and into the future. 

What happened should never have occurred. It must never be allowed to happen again, and it must never be forgotten.

The RANZCP has previously acknowledged the abuse perpetrated by psychiatrist Selwyn Leeks at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital was torture, and we reiterate that today. 

The pain and suffering caused by Leeks and others under the guise of care were barbaric and not representative of psychiatry in any form. 

This abuse occurred in a system which allowed for secrecy, isolation, and without oversight. 

Today, psychiatrists are trained to work collaboratively. Mental health care is developed through multidisciplinary teams of peer workers, nurses, psychologists, and social workers, ensuring that lived experience is embedded in their practice. 

Modern psychiatry is built on the pillars of compassion, ethics, and patient safety. It prioritises transparency and accountability in all aspects of mental health care. 

Complaints should not be lost or ignored, and there are robust and safe processes for reporting and ensuring they are taken seriously. We are committed to continuously improving our system’s processes.

The recommendations made by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in care report deliver a way forward for New Zealand and can ensure the events of Lake Alice or any other abuses on state or faith-based facilities are unable to occur again.   

Media enquiries: Contact Dishi Gahlowt on +61 437 315 911 or dishi.gahlowt@ranzcp.org

For all other expert mental health information visit Your Health in Mind, the RANZCP’s consumer health information website.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a membership organisation that prepares medical specialists in the field of psychiatry, supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments and other groups on mental health care. For information about our work, our members or our history, visit www.ranzcp.org.

In Australia: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

In New Zealand: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline NZ on 0800 543 354 or www.lifeline.org.nz or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 or www.lifeline.org.nz/suicide-prevention.