Child abuse real, says team leader

Press, 28 June 1989, Page 8

Child abuse real, says team leader

By

DEBORAH MCPHERSON

Controversy over the handling of alleged child sexual abuse cases should not divert attention from the reality of child abuse, says the head of Christchurch’s Child Protection Team, Mr Clive Wilson. “No amount of controversy over individual cases should divert people from the reality that these crimes against children are happening,” he said yesterday.

Mr Wilson declined to comment specifically on the controversy at Christchurch Hospital’s Ward 24, which resulted in an internal inquiry. He said the team wanted to make a statement because it was aware many people were feeling confused by the conflicting information in public statements about child abuse, particularly sexual abuse.

People wanted to be assured they could have faith in the system, he said.

The children’s psychiatric ward was no longer interviewing children for evidence in sexual abuse cases but was referring them instead to either the police or the Social Wei-

fare Department. The department could then refer the case to the child protection team, which had representatives from statutory and community agencies. Child abuse, including sexual abuse, was not new, said Mr Wilson. “It has happened in the past, it is happening today and almost certainly will happen tomorrow.” He said child abuse frequently resulted in permanent psychological and physical damage, which could later lead to difficulties in relationships, abusive interaction with the victim’s own children, an an increased likelihood of suicide. Government time and money was needed for education programmes for parents and children and the rehabilitation of offenders if the extent of the abuse was to be reduced. The team was in favour of the new Children and Young Person’s Act, which comes into force on November 1. Mr Wilson said the legislation, which placed a greater emphasis on the input of the family and whanau, had the necessary checks and balances of accountability.