Mandatory reporting of child abuse?

Press, 19 June 1980, Page 16

Mandatory reporting of child abuse?

PA Wellington Many advantages could result from ; in making it niandatory for neighbours •and teachers to report suspected cases of child abuse, says Professor H. J. ’Weston, professor of paediatrics and child health , at Wellington. 7 He told the Wellington -■Medico-Legal Society that Y such a suggestion might be “distasteful,” but a defenceless' child must have protection. Reported cases of child abuse :in New Zealand were probably only the tip of the, ice-berg; he said.

Even the reported 420 cases of abuse per million population placed the country close to the top world estimate. The black picture of child abuse was being heightened by restrictions on social welfare spending, '■ Professor Weston said. Merely to get an adequate history of the child’s abuse and its source was a big problem. “We are desperately short of psychiatrists, especially child psychiatrists, and the economic problems of the country with its “sinking

lid” policy on the staffing of the Social Welfare Department compounds the problem.” Another problem was the shortage of residential centres for abuse victims, and the closing of Karitane Hospital had been a sad blow. Foster- children were also being subjected to too much movement from centre to centre with reported cases of up 20 placements, Professor Weston said. “This is a disasterous state — it just may be worse than leaving the child in a difficult home.”