New policy on child abuse

Press, 1 April 1989, Page 8

New policy on child abuse

I The police have adopted a new policy for investiga- * tion of child abuse. . The Commissioner of Police designate, Mr John ; Jamieson, said the policy looked at the protection of the * child, legal action, witness support, access to the child, ' and facilities and equipment needed for such investiga- £ tions.

■ The police have been running trials since guidelines L for investigation management of child abuse were * released in October, 1986, by the National Advisory i Committee on the Prevention of Child Abuse. ’ The trials involved pilot child abuse investigation ’ teams being set up in Christchurch, South Auckland and r Lower Hutt. > Mr Jamieson said the procedures developed from the ‘ trials were much more sophisticated and detailed. j, “It was important that we develop a practical base ‘ nationally for these very complex and sensitive » investigations.” * The police have already made provisions for training r programmes and the appointment of district coJ 1 ordinators.

Some districts, including those in the trials, have already introduced the policy. The policy covers video-taping of complainant interviews as an interim measure until legislation overtakes this area.

Mr Jamieson said the police had been working with Social Welfare Department staff over the last two years to formulate a combined policy.