Baby murder and abuse investigation launched

1.00pm

The reasons behind the murder and abuse of babies are being investigated.

Child Youth and Family said it was responding to high rates of infant homicide in this country.

A team will go through CYF records and health databases over a 10-year period to identify infants harmed non-accidentally or killed and they will try to identify any patterns.

Pre-natal and post-natal factors will be considered.

Acting chief social worker Craig Smith told National Radio today post-natal factors could include the history of violence among parents and levels of stress.

It could also include the age of parents, the degree of social isolation, and the level of attachment and understanding they had of a child's needs.

He was confident efforts aimed at babies would benefit people in all age groups.

If it was possible to get on top of serious harm and fatal injuries to under one-year-olds that would have a significant impact on reducing attacks, Mr Smith said.

Former chief social worker Mike Doolan, who has researched child homicides, said children were hit about the head and had body parts ruptured by people who attacked them with fists or instruments.

"That has got to stop and we've all got to take responsibility for that."

Recent research by Mr Doolan had found that 26 per cent of children murdered between 1991 and 2000 were less than one year old and 63 per cent were younger than five, the statement said.

In a CYF statement today, Mr Smith said the research would look for patterns which might provide an understanding of how the country could respond to stop children being harmed and killed.

"It is about identifying those children who are most vulnerable so that all agencies can be cognisant of the support those families need as early as possible.

"Reducing the harm inflicted on children is something that government agencies can not do alone.

"The first year of parenting can often be a difficult time for new mums and dads, so friends and neighbours need to recognise when parents are under stress and do what they can to assist before problems escalate," he said.

Christine Langdon at CYF said a team had been set up to do the work, with members including officials from the Ministry of Health and the Children's Commissioner's office.

- NZPA