At the time of the hearing Ms Beard was 59 years old and is a Māori woman of Ngāti Porou and Welsh descent. She was placed in Strathmore Girls’ Home and Kingslea Girls’ Home in Christchurch, and Weymouth in Auckland. She gave evidence of being placed in solitary confinement, and undergoing compulsory internal vaginal medical examinations in each institution.  One doctor performing the examination sexually abused her. She gave evidence of the profound impact on her of the trauma she experienced in State care, including her experiences in relationships, and avoiding smear tests as an adult.