The abuse of children is a "national scandal", a leading children's doctor said today after two children were hospitalised.
We put the question to leading child advocates; What can be done?
KEY POINTS:
Cindy Kiro
Children's Commissioner Cindy Kiro said there have been enough enquiries into child abuse in New Zealand and it's now time to put into practice their findings.
"There needs to be an investment in early intervention work," Ms Kiro said.
She said the best way this can be done is through education.
"We need to give people skills for understanding the development needs of children and that could happen at multiple points during schooling,' Ms Kiro said.
She said programmes run by Plunket, and the Peace foundation are positive.
"We also need to do a few other things like being prepared at the end for family members and friends to step-up," she said.
Lila Jones
The project manager of Hamilton Abuse Intervention Project, Lila Jones, said child abuse is being committed by a core group of families, rather than being wide-spread.
But not everyone goes for help, she said.
"Some families won't seek help through fear of getting into trouble," Ms Jones said.
She encourages anyone witnessing abuse to get help as soon as possible.
"It's about making it a safe space for people to get help if we're going to open up some doors," she said.
A lot of agencies are under-funded and when new programmes are introduced there is not enough money to fund them, she said.
"It creates stress and burn-out amongst agencies," Ms Jones said.
Liz Kinley
Jigsaw joint-CEO Liz Kinley said the issue is "very serious".
She said the case where a girl was allegedly put in a clothes drier is "sickening" but family violence is a community issue.
"If I have children of my own, they're not just mine, other people have every right to be concerned for them and take action if I'm not caring for them," Ms Kinley said.
She said every time a child case is investigated, there are always people such as doctors, schools or neighbours who "had a hunch" that something was wrong.
"Maybe they thought it's not my business, or I don't have a right, or I don't want to get them into trouble," Ms Kinley said.
She said it is a part of New Zealand culture but there are a range of people who can be connected.
"Our children belong to all of us. If parents and families are doing a good job then we want to support them but if there are signs that a child is being hurt or neglected or harmed in some way then for goodness sake get help or get in touch with someone," Ms Kinley said.
Marie Russell
End Physical Punishment of Children trustee Marie Russell said children are not treated as human beings in New Zealand and that needs to change.
"If children are regarded as human beings who have full human rights, we'd have a better situation," Ms Russell said.
She said institutions in society need to learn what children are like.
"Some people don't have a clear idea about what you can expect at different stages of life," Ms Russell said.
She said parents need a lot more support.
"The people doing the most important work for the future of society get very little recognition," Ms Russell said.
She said mothers need to know that they are coming home from hospital to a safe, warm and dry home.
"It's not available to all. Research on disparities in New Zealand would suggest a lot of people don't have access to good financial and moral support," Ms Russell said.
