Tauranga law firm leads the anti-child abuse charge this Buddy Day

Tauranga law firm Cooney Lees Morgan has again partnered with national child advocacy organisation Child Matters to participate in the fourth annual ‘Buddy Day’ - New Zealand’s only child abuse prevention awareness day.

Cooney Lees Morgan partner Matt Tustin said this was the second year the company had got involved in Buddy Day, which sees 1500 adults in Tauranga, Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton adopting a life-size cardboard ‘Buddy’ and taking it into communities and workplaces.

The Buddy is used as a tool to generate conversations about the wellbeing of New Zealand children - and that it is up to all adults to keep kids safe.

“We are a family firm and place a lot of importance on caring for our children. It’s such a great initiative,” said Tustin who takes it upon himself to cajole other employees to adopt a Buddy and lead by example.

“Last year I spent the day with my Buddy at work and at home which my children really enjoyed, so I’m looking forward to taking part again this year, and absolutely recommend other Tauranga businesses register to get involved.”

Studies show that childhood abuse and neglect increases the likelihood of long-term health complications such as heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, obesity, and depression and mental illness. The long-term effects of childhood abuse and neglect also filter into the workplace, including issues getting or keeping jobs, and even an increased incidence of workplace accidents.

In 2008, it was estimated the cost of child abuse in New Zealand was around $2 billion a year.

Child Matters chief executive, Anthea Simcock, says the message of Buddy Day is that every adult in New Zealand can make a difference when it comes to keeping children safe.

“New Zealand has the fifth worst child abuse record out of 26 OECD countries.

are 63 substantiated findings of child abuse across the country every day.

“Educating the adult population about the daily things they can do to keep kids safe is what Buddy Day is all about. This year we’ve developed an informational brochure that every adult participating 1Felitti, V; Anda, R; Nordenberg, D; Williamson, D; Spitz, A; Edwards, V; Koss, M; Marks, J; Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. The Relationship of Adult Health Status to Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 1998.

Informetrics, The Nature of Economic Costs from Child Abuse in New Zealand, 2008
A League table of Child Deaths by Injury in Rich Nations, United Nations Children’s Fund report, 2001 in the day will receive; it’s also available on our website. It has handy tips for keeping kids safe on the sport field, in school, at social gatherings and many other everyday situations.

“Unfortunately, many people see these statistics and think the problem of child abuse is too big for them to make a difference. That’s simply not true.

“The reality is that every adult can take a few proactive steps that can greatly minimise the likelihood of child abuse occurring. Buddy Day is about asking adults to step up and do whatever they can to help prevent child abuse in their circles of influence,” Mrs Simcock explained.

The event takes place again on 14 November in Tauranga. Business and community leaders

throughout the Bay can participate in Buddy Day. Participation is free and adults can register as Buddy ‘Carers’ at www.buddyday.org.nz .

Facebook: www.facebook.com/buddydaynz

Twitter: @buddydaynz

Instagram: #buddydaynz

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