CYF talks focus on abuse

Child, Youth and Family has begun its latest plan to reduce child abuse.

Social Services Minister Steve Maharey opened it at a conference last week in Palmerston North, where he urged iwi, local bodies, and community groups to speak out about child welfare problems.

Future Search conferences will also be held in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch in the next month.

Mr Maharey said the Government wanted to build stronger links with local communities.

"Ultimately, Child, Youth and Family, other state agencies and community organisations can't solve the problems of abuse and neglect by themselves," he said.

"We need all New Zealanders to take responsibility for that."

He said community groups had been calling for closer links to the Government, and a change of CYF focus to greater regionalisation in service delivery should help this.

He would announce extra funding to community groups within days.

CYF spokesman Stephen Ward said the conferences were an important part of its New Directions policy.

- NZPA

Feature: Violence at home