"What About Child Abuse Then"

Roger McClay
Commissioner for Children

I have noticed that an 0800 telephone number will often be set up for a specific reason in the area of police investigations. Following a murder, people can communicate their knowledge about the matter anonymously. It helps with police investigations. The televised "Crimewatch" programme was also a positive encouragement to members of the public to report their knowledge and suspicions.

Well what about a permanent nationwide CHILD ABUSE 0800 telephone line. In the United States of America they have one. Child abuse is occurring every day in New Zealand. People suspect it and see it everyday. Most of it is not reported. Most people ‘don’t want to interfere’. They want to ‘mind their own business’.

I think child abuse is every ones business.

An 0800 (STOP ABUSE) telephone line could enable immediate follow-up. It might even negate the need for us to debate the issue of mandatory reporting of child abuse.

At the Office of the Commissioner for Children we would be interested in your views about this.

Office of the Commissioner for Children PO Box 5610 Thorndon WELLINGTON

phone: 4711 410 phone fax: 4711 418 fax

email: children@occ.org.nz email

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