Editorial: Keep focus on child abuse

The Rangi Whakaruru saga should never have been more than a sideshow in a despairing nation's fight against child abuse. Now, however, the embarrassment that has befallen a celebrity threatens to transform it into the main event.

The development is highly unfortunate. Our continued dwelling on the ineptness of the Children First Foundation merely deflects attention from the bigger picture of child abuse.

To recapture that focus we must recognise that it is time to move on. Constantly revisiting the Whakaruru saga and the double-edged sword of celebrity involvement will not save a single child's life. All it does is act as an object lesson in public relations. It would be tragic if the damage to the foundation's credibility diluted our determination to tackle abuse.

To place matters into perspective we need to remember the unity of purpose that quickly developed as heart-rending stories of child abuse multiplied. Virtually as one we acknowledged that the abuse of our most innocent and most vulnerable could no longer be ignored. In a relatively short period, that realisation has prompted significant action.

The Safe and Sound appeal, for example, raised money for a multi-agency centre in Auckland, a concept designed to bring agencies together to stop child-abuse victims falling through the cracks. At another level, the Accident Compensation Corporation has shown a welcome desire to play a part. It will alert Child, Youth and Family Services whenever a child is the subject of more than 10 accident claims by the age of 5.

More probably needs to be done to safeguard at-risk children and to help parents at risk. Already, however, people by and large seem to have accepted a responsibility to be more vigilant. The Children First campaign helped. That clarity of purpose must not be clouded by peripheral issues. It is time we got our eyes back on the ball.