Abuse centre successes at heart of fundraising effort

By REBECCA WALSH

A campaign to raise money for New Zealand's first multi-agency centre to investigate and treat child abuse starts today.

Sky City Auckland and the Starship Foundation are raising money to help children and families who attend the Puawaitahi centre, which is across the road from the Starship children's hospital.

Puawaitahi opened six months ago and houses staff from the Starship's child and adolescent abuse assessment unit, police, and Child, Youth and Family.

Since it opened, staff have seen an average of six children a day suspected of being abused.

About 1500 children are expected to be seen or treated at the centre during its first year, including "repeat" visitors.

Dr Patrick Kelly, who leads services on site and is clinical director of the Starship's child and adolescent abuse assessment team, said the agencies involved had worked closely on urgent cases.

Among those was a West Auckland preschooler infected with gonorrhoea by a relative. Members of the girl's wider family were screened and the offender identified within 48 hours.

Proceeds from the appeal will be used to buy items such as clothes to replace those removed for forensic testing, emergency food vouchers, and transport to help low-income families return for follow-up interviews or counselling.