Counter Pedophilia Investigate Unit

Some children are at risk of abuse even before they are born, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has been told.

Ms Bennett brought her two-week Green Paper roadshow to Lower Hutt’s Little Theatre last night. Nearly 200 locals turned up to air their concerns.

The discussion paper, launched in July, asks the public to give their opinions on how to protect abused, neglected and disadvantaged children. (more…)

A Maori health researcher says reducing Maori child abuse will require tackling poverty and racial discrimination.

Dr Fiona Cram, in a report published today by the Families Commission, says family poverty is “the major contributing risk factor for children” – and Maori children are twice as likely as European children to live in poverty.

Families Commission chairman Carl Davidson said Dr Cram had “a particular perspective on Maori children in care” which the commission did not necessarily share. (more…)