March 30, 2022
Abuse in care still a problem
Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis says more support for caregivers is the way to address increasing cases of abuse and assaults on tamariki in care.
The latest Safety of Children in Care report records 742 incidents involving 486 children and young people during the 2020-2021 year, the highest figure since Oranga Tamariki started reporting in 2018.
Mr Davis says only 6 percent of incidents happened in Oranga Tamariki residences.
“They’re still on Oranga Tamariki’s books bur they’re at home or they’re with caregivers so what’s important for Oranga Tamariki is to make sure those parents of caregivers receive the support they need to care properly for these children,” he says.