McClay seeks tag on paedophiles

WELLINGTON - The Commissioner for Children wants to test a paedophile tracking service in Wellington this year.

Roger McClay said yesterday that he envisaged a part-time advocate position.

The advocate would be attached to his office and would be responsible for tracking paedophiles, acting as a central communications point and liaising with parents, police and the Child, Youth and Family Services Department.

Mr McClay said families often felt they lacked information from the department and the police over paedophile investigations.

That meant they often gained the incorrect perception that nothing was being done to follow up their concerns.

Parents needed somewhere to turn and the advocate could be a first port of call, he said.

Often parents did not have any concrete evidence, but had suspicions and fears about various individuals.

"People are concerned and worried about who they might approach to outline their suspicions and worries ... rather than the police or Child, Youth and Family."

The advocate could also gather reports from around the country and pass on information to police to help them identify areas where paedophile rings might be operating.

Mr McClay said about $25,000 to $30,000 would be needed to run the year-long trial.

The idea is outlined in briefing papers to Social Services Minister Steve Maharey. The papers have not yet been publicly released.

A spokeswoman for the Open Home Foundation, a child protection and foster agency, said some people had a "natural resistance" to official organisations.

Acting director Val Sargeant said an independent link, with no ties to any statutory agency, was a good idea.

- NZPA