Child abuse a significant and horrendous problem

A surge in the number of child abuse notifications reflects the sad reality of what our social service providers have to deal with every day, says Jigsaw Family Services.

The Minister for Social Development Paula Bennett has told Parliament’s Social Services Select Committee that there has been a 119 percent increase in notifications of child abuse and neglect between 2005 and 2009. She projects that the number of notifications will rise to 125,000 this year.

Jigsaw’s Chairperson Tim Metcalfe says child abuse is a significant and horrendous problem within too many families in New Zealand.

“The statistics reinforce what our professional network of social service agencies are dealing with every day,” he says.

Tim Metcalfe says part of the reason behind the increased notifications is that the police are now obliged to notify Child Youth and Family if children are present in serious domestic violence cases.

“I’m really pleased that there is clear statutory recognition that it’s extremely damaging for children to witness partner abuse. It’s something our sector has been pushing for vigorously for the past 25 years.”

He says the figures also reflect that communities are now much more alert to the needs of children, although people usually only notify Child, Youth and Family as a last resort.

Tim Metcalfe noted that 5,568 children were in care and protection custody of CYF as at the end of March, which means that the families of more than 100,000 more “at risk” children are being for by professional community agencies such as those that make up the Jigsaw family.

“The state is depending on highly skilled community services that are grossly underfunded,” he says.

Tim Metcalfe says he also welcomes the government’s new Whanau Ora approach of offering services to help whole families instead of just individuals.

“We want to help build the capacity of families and whanau to care for their own children and help prevent the sorts of situations that leave concerned people obliged to notify CYF.”

Jigsaw Family Services is a professional network of 40 social service providers throughout the country working to prevent child abuse and to help strengthen families so all children can reach their potential.

ENDS

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