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Number of children harmed in state care slammed as 'disturbing'

Publish Date
Fri, 15 Mar 2019, 7:33AM
In the worst cases, children had been raped or beaten. Photo / 1232RF

Number of children harmed in state care slammed as 'disturbing'

Publish Date
Fri, 15 Mar 2019, 7:33AM

The number of children harmed in care is being described as 'disturbing'.

More than 220 children who were removed from their families to keep them safe went on to be harmed in state care over a six-month period.

The new findings, the first from Oranga Tamariki's new reporting system on child harm, were described as "distressing" by chief executive Grainne Moss.

In the worst cases, children had been raped or beaten. Several incidents led to criminal charges.

Psychologist Gary Hermansson told Tim Dower the children were somewhere they should've been safe.

"To go in to a place where you will then suffer abuse can cause some real issues long term with their own development."

Graphic / NZHerald
Graphic / NZHerald

How to get help

If you're in danger now:

• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people.
• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay.

Where to go for help or more information:

• NZ Police
• The Harbour, for those affected by harmful sexual behaviour 
• Help Auckland 24/7 helpline 09 623 1700
• Rape Prevention Education 
• Wellington Help 24/7 crisisline 04 801 6655, push 0
• Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz 
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent. www.whiteribbon.org.nz

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