Plunket has reservations about proposed amendments to Crimes Act

Media Release
14 April 2011
For immediate release

New Zealand’s largest provider of services to support the health and development of children under five is greatly concerned about the abuse of children in New Zealand.

“We welcome debate and attention directed at ways to reduce child abuse and other harm to children. We are looking for a fence at the top of the cliff approach to the issue,” says Plunket Clinical Advisor Alison Hussey.

“Our current systems don’t seem to be making the difference we had hoped but criminalising people for not reporting abuse may not be the answer.

“Evidence tells us there are no quick fixes. The factors that contribute to child abuse are extremely complex and we need to be looking at the wider determinants of child abuse including poverty, unemployment, family violence, alcohol use, drug abuse, and stress for families”.

“The issue of protecting kiwi kids from abuse is one for all of society. We need to be looking for preventative measures and asking ourselves questions about how we can support families to care for and raise their children safely. We all have a responsibility to protect our most vulnerable citizens from abuse”.

About Plunket
For more than a century Plunket has been giving New Zealand parents the knowledge and support they need to nurture healthy, happy kiwi babies.

Plunket is a not-for-profit organisation and is New Zealand’s largest provider of services to support the health and development of children under five. Plunket is dedicated to working with parents and communities to ensure that New Zealand children get the best start in life. Plunket’s services help families nationwide, through over 550 branches, mobile clinics and a free phone service PlunketLine, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Plunket services are available free to families in New Zealand with children aged 0 to 5. As registered nurses with a postgraduate qualification, Plunket nurses are able to offer high standards of expertise and a range of services to families.

For more information visit www.plunket.org.nz

ENDS

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