Parent Help Inc joins with other organisations, both governmental and non-governmental as we acknowledge today as the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

Unfortunately in Aotearoa, today did not start well. We woke to the news that the Police had launched a homicide enquiry into the death on 13 November of a three- month old baby. The Police have indicated that the baby died of non-accidental injuries.

When, as a nation, are we going to learn to treasure our tamariki ?

We know that there are many families suffering hardship whether financial, lack of adequate housing, finding work or navigating the most appropriate agencies for help. We also know that many have been suffering hardship for a very long time. However, this is never an excuse to beat or abuse or neglect children – most people in such circumstances do not abuse their children.

There is also no excuse for doing nothing when you know a family member or friend or neighbour is struggling and a child may be in danger. We all have a responsibility to speak up and seek help to ensure that children are protected from harm. Early intervention is critical in helping vulnerable families and children.

At Parent Help we respond to many calls on our Helpline from families/whanau concerned about a child or young person and the stresses on their family. A common question from the caller is “what can we do to help our family/whanau?” Often, the answer is simple and practical – looking after the children for a few hours, for example. Sometimes, it is more complicated and our Telephone Support Workers do their best to find the most appropriate helping agency in the caller’s area. And, at times the only response is to advise the caller to ring Oranga Tamariki to enable a range of supports to be made available to the family.

Our Helpline – the only free parenting Helpline in New Zealand - is available to all parents and caregivers with a parenting issue , and for anyone concerned about the welfare of a child or children.

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