A television special last night on child abuse showed that community organisations are doing their best to educate the public on the issue, but Government initiatives are sadly lacking.

That's the view of National's Social Services spokesperson, Bob Simcock, who says the most helpful contribution the Government could make to reducing child abuse right now is changing the law that allows people to hit children.

"Nearly all child advocates believe this will reduce the level of violence. There is an overwhelming majority in the Parliament who support reform. Yet the only party which has not taken a position on the issue is the Labour Party.

"In May, the Social Services Minister said that decisions on reform would be made by November. But in Parliament yesterday, he refused to give any indication of when the Government would respond.

"While the Justice Minister, Phil Goff, has consistently opposed changes to the law, the Social Services Minister has both opposed and supported change at different times.

"All the while, children are continuing to be abused and killed," says Mr Simcock.

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