Anne Tolley MP
National Party Associate Welfare Spokeswoman (CYF)

9 October 2006

Horror child abuse figures won't fix themselves

The increasing rates of child abuse under Labour are shameful, says National's Associate Welfare spokeswoman (CYF), Anne Tolley.

"But the greater shame is the continued denial by this Labour Government that it is getting out of control."

Snapshot figures comparing investigation findings by Child, Youth and Family Services in December 2000 and December 2005 show increases in the number of children suffering emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and behavioural and relationship difficulties.

"Emotional abuse increased from 78 investigations in December 2000 to a whopping 479 in December 2005.

"Sexual abuse increased dramatically, with increases for Maori children from 12 to 58 and Pakeha children from 15 to 50.

"Neglect almost doubled for both Maori and Pakeha children, and leapt from 1 to 50 for Pacific Island children.

"With substantiated cases of abuse totalling 13,000 last year, up from 6,000 in the year 2000, this monthly snapshot shows clearly that abuse is increasing in frequency and severity.

"It's an absolute insult for the Minister to glibly dismiss these appalling increases as a result of more awareness.

"In Opposition, Helen Clark described our sixth placing in worldwide child abuse statistics as shameful. Well, things have got worse, not better under her watch, yet her Government refuses to face facts."

ENDS

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