Gael Donoghue, Christian Heritage Party Health Spokesperson, says if the people of New Zealand – Maori, Polynesian and Pakeha are really serious about dealing effectively with the growing child abuse in our country they will support the call for mandatory reporting from Starship children’s doctors. The Christian Heritage Party welcomes Dr Kelly’s call for mandatory reporting of child abuse to statutory officials by doctors and other health professionals.

“Whilst realizing that there may be problems for general practitioners because of ‘politically correct’ privacy issues or when the parents or caregivers of such children are also patients, in the end saving children’s lives and preventing further psychological and physical trauma must surely be the bottom line,” she said.

Mrs Donoghue continued, “New Zealand has a shameful record of child abuse, starting with the 15,000 abortions last year and just recently the litany of toddlers’ deaths at the hands of related adults.”

Dr Kelly and his supportive colleagues at Starship Hospital, Auckland, are handling the results of physical violence meted out to these innocent little children and know what they are talking about. Some would be alive today had there been a system in place for alerting authorities earlier.

The Christian Heritage Party supports their call for a mandatory reporting system for all health professionals. It urges the Government to heed the request and implement a system to protect and prevent further abuse of our vulnerable small children.

Contact: Mrs Gael Donoghue on (06) 347 6000 or (025) 514 980

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