This study aims to provide a high-level estimate of the cost of abuse in care over the inquiry period. In researching how this might be done, the study identifies the range of impacts associated with the abuse of young people and vulnerable adults, how they can be measured, and available costs that can be applied.

This research has found that the social service system in New Zealand is not working as well as it could be and that, as a result, providers delivering critical services to those in need are underfunded and over-reliant on the philanthropic sector.