Report on police handling of child abuse due

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) will later today release the first part of a report into police handling of child abuse cases.

The IPCA has been looking at how child abuse cases were received, prioritised and investigated by police.

The inquiry followed complaints made last June of delays in the police response to child abuse cases in the Wairarapa.

After submissions from the public about delays in other areas, the inquiry was widened to cover the whole country.

The inquiry has also been considering the relationship between police and other agencies, particularly the Ministry of Social Development and Child, Youth and Family.

- NZPA