Judith Collins MP National Party Welfare Spokeswoman

22 June 2006

Dyson drags the chain on child abuse

National Party Welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins says Ruth Dyson must release a report into child homicides that is more than a year overdue.

"CYF gave the impression the document would be released to promote community debate. Now Ms Dyson claims it's an internal document.

"It's part of Ms Dyson's job to lead the community discussion on child abuse, instead she is ducking for cover.

"New Zealand has an appalling record on child abuse.

"In 1994, when New Zealand was sixth worst in the world for child abuse Helen Clark said it was 'shameful' and more than 'rhetoric' was needed.

"Today, we have slumped to the third worst child abuse rate in the world, and Ms Dyson is reluctant to publicly release a review that will promote much-needed debate on child homicide and abuse.

"We can't bury our heads in the sand and Ms Dyson can't pretend that her plan to merge CYF with MSD will fix all the problems.

"Labour has to face up to this issue, no matter how difficult it may be for all concerned," says Ms Collins.

ENDS

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