***Distressing content warning***

Presentation starts at 09:30

Ms Wardle-Jackson gave evidence about the abuse and neglect she suffered as a child in State care. She described being placed under the preventive supervision of the Superintendent at age 7 years, and being sent with her sisters to the Florence Booth Salvation Army Home, where she remained for about a year and suffered severe beatings. Ms Wardle-Jackson described being sent to Miramar Girls’ Home as a State Ward, and then being moved to Strathmore Girls’ Receiving Home and the Riccarton Family Home in Christchurch, followed by Fareham House in Featherston. In all of these placements she suffered serious physical abuse and was locked in rooms and an attic for long periods as punishment. She was also sexually abused while under the notice of Child Welfare.

Ms Wardle-Jackson was admitted as a minor patient to psychiatric hospitals about four different times between 1967 and 1973, and was just 14 years old at her first admission. While in psychiatric hospital care she suffered physical assaults, was administered ECT and given Paraldehyde as punishment, and she was secluded as a punishment. She was discharged from the care of the Superintendent in about February 1971.

Ms Wardle-Jackson discussed her experience in settling claims against the Salvation Army, Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Health between 2004 and 2017.