Media Release

2 August 2007

New Zealand reaches child abuse tipping point - Children’s Commissioner

Children’s Commissioner, Dr Cindy Kiro, believes that New Zealand has reached a tipping point and we will no longer tolerate the abuse of our most vulnerable citizens – our children.

“This week, my Office has been inundated by contact from people of all walks of life who have enough of hearing about yet an other abused child. These people have something very important in common – they all want to do something to help. They may have ideas on what needs to be done. They may want to donate their time or their money. They may be well-known New Zealanders who want to use their profile to raise awareness of the issues and what can be done,” says Dr Kiro.“

“My Office is currenting working through the many offers we have received so that we can establish the best use of them.”

“It is very heartening to see so many people wanting to make a difference.
I believe that we are moving from a situation of saying that ‘someone else should do something about this’ to one of ‘I want to do something about this’.”

“There is a place for individuals, families, communities, government and society to all do something about this issue.”

“We need investment in education and better health outcomes for children and boosting the ability of community organisations to work with government to deliver services that support children and families.”

“I believe that the establishment of an plan for every child through an integrated framework for children and their families that would provide a foundation for more co-ordinated strategies. An integrated framework would bring a systematic child-focused approach to monitoring the development of every child and young person in New Zealand through co-ordinated planned assessment at key life stages and supporting families to make sure children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The assessments would take into account the whole child: their physical, social, educational, emotional, and psychological development.”

“With more investment in programmes and systems and the goodwill and actions of ordinary New Zealanders, I believe we can combat child abuse and improve the lives of our children,” says Dr Kiro.

ENDS

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