A child advocacy group is encouraging people to speak up against violence towards children after a 4-month-old girl suffered 16 fractures to her body at the hands of another person.
The baby was admitted to Middlemore Hospital with fractures to her skull, multiple ribs, arms and legs - injuries police believe are consistent with physical abuse.
But with family members having closed rank, police have appealed for anyone with information to speak up.
Child Matters chief executive Jane Searle said in a statement today that violence and control by those harming children and families could affect the ability of other adults to speak up, however she believed no amount of loyalty was strong enough to justify not acting to protect a child or young person.
"At times, speaking up to protect a child or young person may require assisting Government agencies such as the Police and Oranga Tamariki with inquiries," Searle said.
"This can be frightening and difficult for some - however nothing is more important than the wellbeing and protection of our children."
