Staff from Hamilton-based national child advocacy organisation, Child Matters, have noted a drop in the number of substantiated child abuse cases as reported by Child, Youth and Family (CYF) for the year ending June.
In reports recently released by CYF, the total number of substantiated cases of child abuse in
New Zealand decreased by 559 last year.
Child Matters spokesperson Amanda Meynell, academic services manager, said earlier this month that it is planning to hold its second annual Buddy Day on November 16 - a public participation event aimed at raising awareness of child abuse and the role that every adult has in keeping children safe.
"It certainly is pleasing to see the number of substantiated cases of child abuse declining over the past year. However, we mustn't lose sight that there is still a significant number of children experiencing abuse and neglect," she says.
"New Zealand still has one of the highest rates of death by child abuse out of 31 OECD countries. And for every child death, there are thousands more being neglected and abused physically, sexually and emotionally.