KEY POINTS:
Eighteen helium balloons were released in central Wellington today in memory of children under-five who have died from child abuse in the past five years.
The release is part of the launch of a new child protection module, All About Me -- Toku Ahuatana Whanui, developed by police and other agencies to help early childhood education (ECE) centres prevent and handle evidence of child abuse.
Gill Palmer from police Youth Education Services (YES) said the tragic deaths of Chris and Cru Kahui which shocked the nation last year were a reminder of New Zealand's unhappy record of child abuse.
All About Me is part of the police Keeping Ourselves Safe child abuse prevention programme which has been operating in primary schools since the 1980s.
The new module was developed by a group of early childhood teachers, police and early childhood education experts.
Ms Palmer said it was difficult for young children to disclose abuse and ECE teachers could be in the position of being the child's voice.
"Evidence of child abuse is a terrible thing to be confronted with, but we need teachers to be prepared to deal with it when it happens and know what to do."
ACC is involved in funding the programme.
Sensitive claims manager Alison Maloney said ACC was proud to be involved with a programme that aimed to give children the confidence and skills to recognise harmful situations.
"Child abuse has become increasingly prevalent in New Zealand society with a reported 1 in 3-5 girls and 1 in 6-10 boys suffering some form of sexual abuse," Ms Maloney said.
"On average, there are 1379 new and ongoing claims for children who have been victims of sexual abuse every year."
Many children did not seek help until they were adults, and by then had suffered depression and other issues, she said.
"The cost to society is really immeasurable and the cost to the economy in funding appropriate treatment for victims of sexual abuse is now running into millions of dollars every year, that's why programmes such as these are so crucial."
All About Me was piloted in 21 centres in Dunedin, Porirua and Auckland in Term 1, 2006, and was evaluated by the Education Review Office.
The module will only be available to centres once they have undertaken a training package.
- NZPA
