A conference on child abuse began yesterday amid a spat over Government claims that it was a National Party policy exercise.
The Wellington conference, chaired by Children's Commissioner Roger McClay, was to be addressed by representatives of groups including GPs, paediatricians, Women's Refuge, Barnardos and Parentline.
Organiser and National MP Bob Simcock said the conference would examine the arguments for and against mandatory reporting.
He said it was non-partisan, as demonstrated by the diverse range of social agencies and people attending.
"You certainly couldn't claim this conference was stacked one way or the other.
"There appears to be about equal numbers of participants at this conference who stand on both sides of the issue."
Neither Labour nor the Alliance has sent representatives to the conference and Social Services Minister Steve Maharey previously barred Government agencies from taking part.
Mike Doolan, chief social worker with Child, Youth and Family Services, had been invited to prepare a paper for the Stop the Hurt conference, but Mr Maharey said his attendance would be inappropriate.
The conference appeared to be part of National's policy development processes and it was not appropriate for public servants to take part, said Mr Maharey.
"Accordingly, Mr Doolan will not be attending your conference," he told Mr Simcock in a letter.
Mr Simcock said yesterday that politics should be set aside for the conference.
"This is not about politics, it's about the safety and welfare of our country's kids."
The head of the National Collective of Independent Women's Refuge, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, fired a broadside at the Government over its attitude.
"Politics don't enter into it, as far as I'm concerned, around the debate of the abuse of children."
Addressing the conference, she said child abuse should not be treated as an isolated problem.
"In virtually 90 per cent of cases where child abuse is occurring, it is occurring in the context of family violence.
"So, children are not only actually being abused themselves but they're also being exposed to the abuse of their mothers and in some instances also the male partners in the home as well."
Ms Raukawa-Tait was critical of doctors who wanted to keep the status quo.
"I know that most doctors in New Zealand tend to feel a little bit uncomfortable about the spotlight that's been put on them. Well, that's tough. Get over it and get on with it," she said.
"The majority of [abused children] do at some stage or other appear in the surgeries, or appear [at] the doctors."
Further criticism was levelled at the Government for spending money on the arts while groups dealing with child abuse and violence struggled to make ends meet.
"I know we talk always about sufficient resources. Recently, $140 million went to the arts community. I don't begrudge the arts community ... but what I do see here is there are priorities that we need to get right.
"The wellbeing of the women and children of this country must be seen as a priority by this Government."
Ms Raukawa-Tait defended Mr Doolan's department, which she said appeared to be the only organisation regularly called to account for child abuse.
"Child, Youth and Family Services do a job that most other people wouldn't want to do. They are often used, say by police, as a weapon against our women [who are told], 'Your children will be taken from you.' That must stop.
"Child, Youth and Family Services are not the enemy."
- NZPA
Political dispute sours child-abuse gathering
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.