Children Rely on Adults to Keep Them Safe

The one thing that this week’s comment by the Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett has done is refocus the nation’s attention back onto the need to protect children. And that is a very good outcome.

Child Matters believes it is positive that Cabinet is considering a range of options – as it should. Some naturally will be considered wide of the mark. Some will be considered outrageous or even labelled “dog-whistle politics”.

Unfortunately, the commentary quickly turned its attention to the issue of forced sterilisation and taking babies away from parents said to be “child abusers” and “killers”. While this is guaranteed to attract further media attention, real-world solutions that have been proven to work to reduce abuse of children continue to plough on.

We agree that the Government should consider options that address the safety of a child who is born into a family that has a history of child abuse or neglect, and to parents who have demonstrably failed the children they already have.

The Government is required to make tough decisions, and there will always be unpopular decisions. But people should remember a simple reason why these decisions are required – to protect the child.

And that brings us back to how strengthening the regulatory environment, alongside improving sector competence will ensure all New Zealanders take responsibility for keeping our children safe.

Child Matters’ extensive experience over 18 years is that many parents are frequently unaware of what constitutes abusive behaviour or actions that are detrimental to children. Specific child protection training programmes are valuable in changing this. Parents can benefit enormously from learning about the effect of their actions on children, and from having professionals who are involved with their family, also being well educated in child protection issues.

It makes sense that there should be a requirement that all those working with children have at the very least minimum training in the prevention of child abuse.

Child protection is a specialised field of training. Just as a teacher would not consider advising on health concerns, professionals coming from health, mental health or other specialties cannot be expected to deliver specialist child protection training. This training should be on-going and reflect the level appropriate to the type of work being undertaken.

At its most basic level, the Government could stipulate that this is a condition of receiving government funding and for professional registration.

Child Matters would like to see child protection be included in the education syllabus for those teaching or working with children and young people.

With the officials currently wading through thousands of submissions lodged in response to the Government’s Green Paper, one simple, concrete fact remains – children rely on adults to keep them safe. Child protection is a responsibility we all must share.

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