Centre offers one-stop help for abused kids

By ANGELA GREGORY


It's a quiet Sunday afternoon until a primary school-aged girl drops a bombshell.

She tells her mother an adult family friend has touched her in a way she doesn't think he should have.

On Monday the girl is taken to the Puawaitahi in Grafton, New Zealand's first multi-agency centre which investigates and treats child abuse and neglect.

She is medically examined, a friendly policeman explains his role, and the case is referred to Child, Youth and Family social workers on the premises.

The next day an older girl overhears her parents talking about the allegation. She tells her mother the same family friend did something similar to her two years earlier.

The following Monday police take an evidential video of the first girl, and the older girl comes into the centre where she talks to police and later gives a formal statement.

Before the end of that week police officers approach the offender, who admits indecent assault on both girls and is charged.

That is the sort of fast turnaround being achieved at Puawaitahi, set up in November 2002 to combine health, social work and police services.

As the older girl's mother put it:

"This was a very confusing and difficult time for our family and we weren't sure what to do after the offending happened.

"After being referred to the unit and initially contacting them by phone, we were able to be seen the next day. Being in the same building we were all able to go and see the unit and meet the staff who would do the interview."

Housed in a three-level building opposite the Starship's children's hospital, the service is the first in Australasia to combine the state's child abuse-related agencies in one shared space. But, emphasises Dr Mary Dawson, CYF manager specialist services, you won't find their corporate colours in the building.

Instead, vivid yellows, blues and hot pinks dominate the artwork-filled walls amid huge stuffed toys.

Dr Dawson says locating the agencies together has successfully streamlined the service for children and their families. "Fragmentation is a big risk in this community," she said.

Puawaitahi, a name gifted by the local Ngatiwai iwi meaning "blossoming in unity", arose from Auckland University research showing the need for the one-stop approach.

Dr Dawson says it is particularly apt in widespread and traffic congested Auckland where, getting across town from one appointment to another can be frustrating, if not daunting to families under stress.

Dr Patrick Kelly, clinical director of the agencies' health arm, Te Puaruruhau, welcomes the proximity to Starship.

"There is a lot of synergy for us being so close ... we have a pool of related health personnel just three minutes walk away."

From anywhere in New Zealand, severely injured children from suspected child abuse who get treated at Starship are referred to the agency.

At the centre 45 staff cater for babies up to 19-year-olds.

By the end of last month nearly 1700 children or youths had come through the front door, most returning for follow-up visits. Since the service opened there have been about 4000 visits, averaging 75 a month.

The core clients who get all three services in one hit are from the central Auckland isthmus. Children outside that area from Mercer to Warkworth can use the medical and social work services but deal with local police in the areas where they live.