Honest Look Needed at Government Response in Auckland Abuse Case

The education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa hopes an independent inquiry into the serious abuse of an Auckland girl will force the government to come clean on its own involvement in the case.

It’s been revealed that the girl’s mother and teacher wrote to the Prime Minister John Key last year.

NZEI President Ian Leckie says “schools and teachers have clear processes to follow when they suspect abuse and are legally bound to report it to the police or Child Youth and Family.”

“While details of the letters are not available as the case is before the courts, it’s clear that the teacher had real concerns and frustrations and was seeking top level intervention,” he says.

The independent inquiry will focus on the information sharing and communication between the agencies which were involved with the girl and her family.

Mr Leckie says “I hope it will turn an honest focus onto Mr Key’s role and the response of his government as to why he seemingly didn’t act when concerns were raised.”

He adds, “In the interests of all children, this case should serve as a reminder to schools of their responsibility to be alert to the signs of suspected abuse and act on them unquestioningly. In return schools and teachers need assurances that their concerns will be taken seriously and won’t be ignored.”

ENDS

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