To be exact, the scope of the inqury isn't restricted to child abuse or to sexual abuse - it's "directed to examine... the historical abuse of children, young persons, and vulnerable adults in State care and in the care of faith-based institutions." The term "abuse" includes "physical, sexual, and emotional or psychological abuse... neglect, and... inadequate or improper treatment or care that resulted in serious harm to the individual (whether mental or physical)." And the term "vulnerable adult" "means an adult who needs additional care and support by virtue of being in... care" or vulnerable "due to their physical, intellectual, disability, or mental health status, or due to other factors" - for example, "[v]ulnerability may also arise in relation to a person’s nationality; race; ethnicity; religious belief; age; gender; gender identity; sexual orientation."
According to its Terms of Reference,
10. The purpose of the inquiry is to identify, examine, and report on the matters in scope. For matters that require consideration of structural, systemic, or practical issues, the inquiry’s work will be informed not only by its own analysis and review but also by the feedback of victims/survivors and others who share their experiences. The matters in scope are:
10.1 The nature and extent of abuse that occurred in State care and in the care of faith-based institutions during the relevant period (as described immediately below):
(a) the inquiry will consider the experiences of children, young persons, and vulnerable adults who were in care between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1999 inclusive;
(b) the inquiry may, at its discretion, consider issues and experiences prior to 1950. In order to inform its recommendations for the future, the inquiry may also consider issues and experiences after 1999;
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10.2 The factors, including structural, systemic, or practical factors, that
caused or contributed to the abuse of individuals in State care and in the
care of faith-based institutions during the relevant period. The factors
may include, but are not limited to:
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10.3 The impact of the abuse on individuals and their families, whānau, hapū, iwi, and communities, including immediate, longer-term, and intergenerational impacts.
10.4 The circumstances that led to individuals being taken into, or placed into, care and the appropriateness of such placements. This includes any factors that contributed, or may have contributed, to the decision-making process. Such factors may include, for example, discrimination, arbitrary decisions, or otherwise unreasonable conduct.
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10.5 What lessons were learned; what changes were made to legislation, policy, rules, standards, and practices to prevent and respond to abuse in
care; and what gaps, if any, remain and need addressing.
10.6 The current frameworks to prevent and respond to abuse in care; and any changes to legislation, policies, rules, standards, and practices, including oversight mechanisms, that will protect children, young persons, and vulnerable adults in the future.
10.7 The redress and rehabilitation processes for individuals who claim, or have claimed, abuse while in care, including improvements to those processes.