A year or so ago, New Zealand was in despair over a succession of horrific child abuse episodes. So harrowing was the experience that for the first time the battering of society's most vulnerable was dragged out of the shadows. We were forced to acknowledge that our rate of child death from abuse was high by comparison with most other developed countries. And a bewildered nation, searching for answers, concluded quite correctly that it was everyone's business to ensure that our children were safe.
The costs of failing to provide that protection are many. Most immediately, of course, there is the wretched lot of the abused children - children who too often grow up to batter their own offspring. The abuse, however, also exacts a financial toll. It is estimated to cost the taxpayer more than $115 million a year. The vast majority of that funds the care and protection provided by Child, Youth and Family and hospitalisation.
It is vital that the spotlight on child abuse is unrelenting. Neighbours or others associated with a family must not return to thinking they are busybodies if they report suspected cases of abuse. There are now more than a dozen helpline services available if a child - or the child's guardians - are thought to be in jeopardy. There should be every encouragement for people to use them. No one should hesitate. The interests of children must be paramount.
For that reason, Building Tomorrow, an initiative of the Auckland University of Technology's institute of public policy aimed at curbing abuse, is important. As was last night's screening of Question 2: Killing Tomorrow, the TV3 drama/panel discussion about families ripped apart by child abuse.
Far too many children have suffered. We owe it to them to do everything possible to stop further abuse. Accepting that everyone has a role to play, however small, is a starting point on the road to prevention. But the attention and determination must be unremitting.
