Media Release
For Immediate Release
13 August 2009

Child Abuse is the community’s responsibility

It has been a black week for New Zealand with a 2 year old child killed and a 17 month old in critical condition – both no doubt at the hands of someone who was supposed to be nurturing and loving them. Add these tragedies to the Wairarapa situation, where police are being investigated for failing to follow up on numerous child abuse cases, and the picture is very bleak for New Zealand.

Anthea Simcock, CEO and founder of CPS, New Zealands child protection specialist organisation says “Of course we need to look at our police and welfare agencies to ask the big questions and find out what is being done to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

“But just as importantly, we need to put our focus back on the community. As individuals we all have the power to stop child abuse. It is friends, family, neighbours and others in the community who are most likely to see what is happening to a child. It is their responsibility to learn what to do and then act on that knowledge.”

Mrs Simcock says that there are steps that can be taken by anyone, to intervene and stop tragedies like this from happening.

“People often think that the only possible course of action is to call the police or Child, Youth and Family, and with this comes fear, and often as a result, inaction. But what many people don’t realise is that there are many things that can be done long before this which may prevent the need for the Police or CYF ever being involved.”

Mrs Simcock continues. “There are 3 basic actions that people can take, depending on how serious the situation is.”

“Firstly, you can step-up personally – help a stressed mother out, offer to babysit, or even just talk. This action can sometimes be all that is needed to ensure parents stay in control. Secondly, is to connect the family you are concerned about with a non government agency. Every town and city in New Zealand has local agencies specialised in helping families who are experiencing difficulties. (The front of your local phone book has a list of Personal Help Services) Then thirdly, if you are really concerned that a child may be harmed, is to report to CYF (0508 FAMILY) or the Police.

CPS is Charitable Trust, who for 15 years has been providing training throughout NZ for key people who work with children in how to recognise and respond to child abuse.

A parent educator who attended one of CPS’ Child Protection Studies Programmes wrote “I have become more aware of individual children at risk and acknowledge that preventing child abuse is my responsibility. Along with my colleagues and the whole community. I am not afraid to become involved! The Child Protection Studies Programme has taught me that if I don’t take action, maybe nobody will.”

CPS hopes New Zealand communities will take responsibility for speaking up for children.

ENDS

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