Sisters raped in foster family: Anglican Church, state and police ‘did nothing’

NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand Herald

December 8, 2020

By Michael Neilson

Warning: This story discusses rape and sexual abuse.

The love between two sisters shone through as one spoke of the horrific abuse they suffered together as children in foster, state and Anglican church care.

Ms M – whose name is legally protected – and her late sister – who came to be known as Janie – were both raped and violently assaulted while in a foster family arranged through Anglican Social Services from 1969 to 1974.

Ms M was again sexually assaulted only years later, aged 16, by a reverend in a family who would go on to legally adopt her.

In both situations, authorities were aware of abuse, but made no efforts to intervene to protect the girls.

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