KEY POINTS:
A 2-week-old baby boy with a black eye and a bruised face was the youngest victim of abuse to be admitted to one hospital in the past five years.
Sarah McMillan, Rotorua Hospital's child protection officer, said that over five years she has noticed the children involved are getting younger and their injuries are getting worse.
"These cases are few and far between," she said. "It may be just one or two a year but I am surprised what some children are exposed to."
On average, she deals with five referrals every week from staff who have identified suspicious injuries on a child.
Appointed in 2002, she is an advocate for any child who has been identified by hospital staff as being at risk of abuse.
She co-ordinates services on behalf of the child, contacting the appropriate agencies, such as Rotorua police and Child, Youth and Family.
Children who arrive at hospital with suspicious injuries can be admitted by Ms McMillan to ensure their safety.
It also gives authorities more time to investigate and talk with family members, she said.
- DAILY POST
