Green Paper must listen and ACT, not listen and IGNORE
For immediate release:
Green Paper
must listen and ACT, not listen and
IGNORE
Excerpt from a news
article today:
https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/1351618282631259
Plan to keep Kiwi kids safe
A Families Commission report, released
today, says agencies' inadequate systems are putting
vulnerable children at risk.
It calls
for better information-sharing between government
departments and enhanced reporting by health professionals
to safeguard at-risk children.
But it
also suggests controversial new measures that could expose
innocent mums and dads to greater government intervention if
child abuse is suspected.
Christine Davey, Sensible Sentencing's Spokesperson on Drug Issues, has heard it all before. In fact she has said it all before, in the following Press Release issued on 19 November 2008.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0811/S00260.htm
CYF Policies
result in child abuse
Wednesday 19
November 2008
Press Release: Sensible
Sentencing Trust
With
regard to the role of the Children's Commission, in her 2008
Press Release Ms Davey quotes MSD CEO Peter Hughes as having
told her that “while both agencies work together,
they have differing roles.” He says
“The Office of the Children's Commissioner has an
important function in monitoring and assessing the policies
and practices of CYF, but cannot direct CYF in its
work''.
Ms Davey says it's precisely
that arrogant approach which has allowed so many of our
children to suffer abuse by their Caregivers. She has
written to Paula Bennett many times on this issue, citing
specific cases – and Ms Bennett's response has always been
to refer the case back to the CYF agency concerned. They
vigorously defend their methods, Ms Bennett accepts that,
and nothing changes.
With all due respect to Ms Bennett – the Green Paper is a great idea. But the people and various Commissions and Agencies have been having their say on this issue for years, and it has been ignored. Why should we believe this is going to be any different?
As the SST's 2008 Press Release said: “Until a
NZ Government recognises its responsibility towards children
and acts to assist them by changing the culture at CYF, more
children will be abused, brain damaged or
killed. “