KEY POINTS:
The Herald's "Our Lost Children" series has raised nearly $70,000 towards helping the country's abused children.
The series - which ran for a week before Christmas - looked at how bad child abuse had become in New Zealand and whether the country was getting justice for the thousands of victims.
It also offered readers a chance to do something positive by donating to charities which work in the field of child abuse.
As a result of a campaign the five charities have all reported positive feedback from members of the public, with many saying they are stunned by such generosity - especially given the economic downturn.
Some of the charities have received thousands of dollars in donations, while others have reported increased membership and awareness about their charity. Some people have also offered to volunteer or help.
One charity reported hearing from a man who was so moved by the series that he stepped in and intervened when he saw a child being physically abused by their parent.
That kind of response is in many ways more important than monetary donations as it shows a shift in attitude towards child abuse - one that says it is not okay. The following is a breakdown of each charity and the response it had from the public as a result of the Herald's campaign
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust
Received $8500 in donations and 25 new members. Three members of the public have also started monthly sponsorship of three Auckland families to help them with the cost of raising abused grandchildren.
A fourth family was "adopted" over Christmas and received hundreds of dollars worth of gifts and vouchers. The trust is considering using the money to buy stationery vouchers which will then be given to the organisation's 4000 members to help with the costs of sending children back to school.
Jigsaw
Received 25 donations totalling $4450. One was from an 81-year-old who said he was moved to tears and anger at the "abusive treatment of our children" and offered to volunteer his services.
"All our correspondents were very positive about Jigsaw's important work and wished us all the best with the work we do," said office manager Carolyn Cummins. "We really appreciated the positive profile the story gave Jigsaw and the encouragement it gave families needing help to contact the Jigsaw agency nearest them." The money will go directly towards something for the children who are helped by Jigsaw's organisation.
Starship Foundation
Received a $50,000 donation from Mercury Energy. Also received a further $2100 from members of the public. The money will go towards a three-year research project to minimise brain injury in children who have suffered abuse.
A Starship spokeswoman said it was great to see the series led to such overwhelming support for organisations' cause.
"New Zealanders are outraged when they pick up the paper and read about terrible abuse cases against children. This series inspired many of those Kiwis to take action, by either giving a donation or lending support in other ways, to help organisations which are at the coalface in the fight against child abuse."
Barnados
Received $1500 and offers from people wanting to help volunteer at the organisation. The money will go towards family and child programmes which help victims of abuse.
Family Works
Received $2365, money which will be used to support children to overcome the effects of domestic violence through counselling and/or programmes such as Restore.
Spokeswoman Rachel McQuerry said the organisation wanted to thank everyone who had given their support to Family Works.
"It's been a great opportunity to let people know that we're here to assist children and young people to understand and overcome the effects of violence," she said.
"It's wonderful to see that people were touched by the series and willing to show their support to help see an end to child abuse in New Zealand."
