A drop in child abuse

The Herald reports:

Child protection officials believe New Zealand may be finally tackling its child abuse problem after the first drop in substantiated abuse cases for at least eight years.

Child, Youth and Family Services has reported a 4 per cent drop in substantiated findings of abuse and neglect, down from a record 22,087 in the year to June last year to 21,525 in the latest June year.

It is the first decline since a dramatic escalation of abuse statistics dating back to 2003-04

A drop in one year is not a trend, but it will be great if it turns into one. Our record has been shameful.

But he said two things gave him more confidence that the drop may be more than just a statistical blip.

First, the drop in substantiated cases came despite a continued increase in notifications to CYFS of suspected abuse and neglect – up from 150,747 to a record 152,800 in the latest year, including an increase in police referrals of children in homes where domestic violence occurred from 57,153 to 62,678.

CYFS also investigated more cases – up from 57,949 to 61,074.

“So we have investigated more cases but found slightly less child abuse,” Mr Nixon said.

Encouraging.