Child abuse rise sparks Child, Youth and Family review

Stuff co.nz 2 April 2015
The country’s child abuse rate is steadily rising and has triggered a government overhaul of the department responsible for child protection.

But while Labour and the Salvation Army welcome the review, they say Child Youth and Family is failing because of government pressure to meet unrealistic targets.

Last year CYF has received 146,657 notifications of possible child abuse or neglect, a drop of 2000 on the year before but 20,000 more than in 2009, while the number of cases being followed up by social workers went down.

Police statistics reveal the number of offences against children has skyrocketed and last year reached a record 5397, 3.5 per cent higher than last year but 56 per cent higher than in 2009.

Sexual offences against children rose 2.3 per cent to 2022, 2.3 per cent higher than last year and 40 per cent higher than in 2009.

On Wednesday Social Development Minister Anne Tolley announced a CYF overhaul and admitted the department charged with protecting New Zealand’s most vulnerable citizens “must do better”.

WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY
Year – CYF child abuse notifications – Notifications requiring further attention – CYF social workers
08/09 – 110,797 – 49,224 – 1153
09/10 – 124,921 – 55,494 – 1186.2
10/11 – 151,109 – 57,783 – 1203.1
11/12 – 153,407 – 60,330 – 1231.7
12/13 – 148,659 – 61,877 – 1261.5
13/14 – 146,657 – 54,065 – 1269
Source: Child, Youth and Family and Parliamentary Library.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/67589148/child-abuse-rise-sparks-child-youth-and-family-review