DOT Loves Data is one of New Zealand’s leading providers of data science, data analysis and data visualisation. It employs a range of PhD level researchers and data scientists to ensure it is able to solve and distil complex problems into actionable insights.

DOT was engaged to provide a quantitative analysis of the data collected from the 2,329 survivor abuse accounts as defined by its terms of reference. Using natural language processing, its role was to assist the Royal Commission to understand any existing data gaps, to improve the data integrity, and explain the data gaps in an easy to understand way. As the data collection techniques were improved throughout the collection of the survivor accounts, DOT’s remit was to ensure consistent analysis was captured across all accounts, based on both written and audio transcripts, in relation to features such as ethnicity, iwi, gender, LGBTQIA+, mental distress and disability.

Of the survivors who spoke with the Inquiry, DOT's analysis showed that the number of incidents of reported abuse peaked in the 1970s, coinciding with the period of highest population in state and faith-based care facilities. The most common pathways into care were a state requirement due to troublesome behaviour, voluntary placement by parents due to a lack of support or insufficient financial means, or admission into a faith-based school.

Some survivor cohorts reported especially high levels of abuse, with a disproportionately high representation of Māori, Deaf, survivors living with a disability and Pasifika. DOT's analysis showed that Māori experienced higher care admission rates relative to the general population (Māori make up 44% of survivor accounts), while Māori and Pasifika experienced higher levels of physical abuse. Similarly, survivors who are Deaf or living with a disability experienced elevated abuse rates compared to those who are not Deaf or living without a disability.

The age and gender of survivors also played a significant role in the abuse they were subjected to. Survivors aged 10 - 14, for example, reported the highest levels of sexual and physical abuse by their caregivers. In terms of gender, 59% of survivor accounts were male, 40% female and 1% gender diverse, non-binary or other. Male survivors reported higher levels of physical and solitary abuse, while female survivors reported higher levels of sexual, emotional, neglect and medical abuse.

Survivors' life outcomes were significantly and detrimentally impacted by their abuse in care, relative to the general population. 83% of survivors reported suffering mental distress challenges during or following their time in care. 29% or survivors had been imprisoned and 10% of survivors had joined a gang.

The repercussions of the abuse and neglect suffered by survivors are evident within the analysis.

Four excel worksheets that include the Inquiry's Survivors' data in an anonymised format were developed by Dot Loves Data