Creating a better future by curbing child abuse

A lot of child abuse can be prevented by tackling the underlying causes. We all have a part to play in this: parents, family members, friends, teachers, employers, employees, politicians, community workers and childcare professionals.

As a society, we must help adults to nurture children. It won't be easy, but child abuse can be greatly reduced.

"Children are our future" is a catchphrase often repeated. But when things go wrong we find it easy to point the finger at agencies and parents. As Judge Mick Brown commented in the Ministerial Inquiry into Child Youth and Family last year, we look for a scapegoat, while the media focuses only on the extreme cases and then turns its attention to something else.

TV programme this evening - plus continuing coverage online

Building Tomorrow

, an initiative of the Institute of Public Policy at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), aims to reduce child abuse and neglect in New Zealand.

These pages and the

Building Tomorrow

website

aim to cover the services available and promote discussion of extra measures that we must take.

The initiative, headed jointly by Emma Davies of the Institute for Public Policy at Auckland University of Technology, and Ian Hassall of the children's advocacy group Children's Agenda, coincides with the screening of

Questions 2: Killing Tomorrow

, which screens tonight at 8.30 on TV3. Like the acclaimed programme about youth suicide which screened last year, Killing Tomorrow will be in two parts: a drama that tells three stories of serious family violence with severe consequences, and a studio discussion with frontline workers, knowledgeable commentators and survivors.

A support line will be staffed by trained counsellors for 24 hours after the screening for anyone concerned about personal implications of the television programme. The phone number is 0800 222 465.

An information line will also operate from tonight on 0800 502 512. Callers will be offered a resource pack containing information on positive parenting and a range of community organisations that provide services for those wanting support for themselves, their families or friends.

The public will be invited to comment online at

Building Tomorrow

or by writing to:

Building Tomorrow

Institute of Public Policy,

Auckland University of Technology

Private Bag 92 006

Auckland 1020

* Special thanks to Phillippa Priest and Year 2, Room 1-6, and Jane Danielson and Year 3, Room 2-4, Koru School, Mangere and Miss Dee and Ropu 2, New Entrants, Richmond Rd Primary School, Grey Lynn, Auckland for the artwork in this special report.

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Building Tomorrow - paths to prevent child abuse