More than 800 children have been treated by the Canterbury District Health Board for suspected sexual or physical abuse in the past five years. Photo / 123RF
More than 800 children have been treated by the Canterbury District Health Board for suspected sexual or physical abuse in the past five years. Photo / 123RF
More than 800 children have been treated by the Canterbury District Health Board for suspected sexual or physical abuse in the past five years.
Data released to New Zealand's Herald under the Official Information Act show the CDHB, which covers the east coast of the South Island from the Kaikouradistrict in the north to the Ashburton district in the south, as well as the Chatham Islands, has seen 55 cases of suspected sexual or physical abuse in children aged 0 to 17 in the first five months of this year alone.
A total of 812 children have been seen for suspected sexual and physical abuse since 2017.
The statistics revealed that in 2017 the CDHB saw 212 cases of suspected sexual and physical abuse, 169 in 2018, and 182 in 2020.
The Christchurch Hospital Paediatric Service sees children aged 12 years and under, if a medical sexual abuse assessment is required - 160 children have been seen in the past five years.
Specialist services for children aged 13-17 is contracted to the Cambridge Clinic - for victims who have been sexually assaulted, raped or abused.
The Cambridge Clinic saw 267 children for an initial assessment in the same period.
Over the past five years, 385 children aged 0-15 were seen for suspected physical abuse.
Last year 103 children were seen compared to 78 in 2019 - a 32 per cent increase.
The CDHB receives referrals about children with potential physical abuse from several sources including staff managing patients who present to CDHB hospitals, to primary care providers such as the child's GP.
Referrals are also received from Oranga Tamariki and police when they have received a report of concern from someone who suspects a child or young person has been physically abused.
A CDHB spokesperson said In all cases where there are concerns about physical abuse of a child, a paediatrician, paediatric social worker and child protection social worker will be involved.
Following a medical assessment of the child, they will all participate in a strategy meeting with Oranga Tamariki and police, to jointly inform ongoing interventions and safety plans.
A child aged 12 years and under will be referred to the Paediatric Sexual Abuse Service if there were concerns regarding sexual abuse which require a health assessment.
The CDHB spokesperson said referrals are received from a variety of services but most commonly Oranga Tamariki, police or GP's.
All referrals are triaged by a paediatrician, social worker and clinical nurse specialist.
An appointment and/or specialist social work support is offered - medical appointments with the paediatrician and nurse can include a therapeutic physical and holistic health check and a forensic examination when required.
A specialist social worker is also involved in the appointment.
The CDHB paediatric sexual abuse team liaise with police and Oranga Tamariki for each child referred to the service.
Children's Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft said, in response to the numbers in Canterbury, any findings or suspicions of abuse are deeply concerning and utterly unacceptable.
"We can never be satisfied with the level of child abuse taking place in New Zealand which is a national shame.
"Being abused in childhood has a traumatic and devastating impact on a child's entire life."
Children's Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft. Photo / Supplied
Becroft said there is evidence that poverty, poor housing, intimate partner abuse and toxic family stress increase the risk to children.
"But while tackling these problems might reduce the risk to children, they must never be seen as an excuse.
"Every child, no matter their background, deserves to grow up safe, healthy and loved."
• In cases of suspected child abuse or neglect, If the concerns are serious and/or there is an immediate risk of harm to the child, a referral will be made to Oranga Tamariki and on occasion the police.
Are you worried about the safety of a child?
If you have concerns about the immediate safety of a child, call 111.
