Foreword

The abuse of children remains a major problem in New Zealand and throughout the world.

In 1998, 6,798 cases of proven child abuse cases were reported to the New Zealand Department of Child, Youth and Family Services. But this is only the tip of the iceberg as Australian figures show that for every single child abuse case reported, 10 go unreported by adults who know the abuse is happening. The abuse of children is not bound by race, gender or wealth.

Research has proven that child abuse prevention programmes help to keep children safer from abuse. Children who have worked through sound child abuse prevention programmes gain the skills needed to stop abuse and are more likely to tell someone when abuse begins or if it is already taking place.

Research also indicates that the earlier a child receives abuse prevention education, the greater the likelihood that the abuse can be stopped or, even better, not allowed to start.

We owe it, then, to our children to talk with them about abuse.

This project has been developed to enable parents and carers to do something positive to stop the offending and to help keep children safer from all forms of abuse. By working through the information and activities with your children, you will better equip them to withstand and deal with abuse if it should happen to them.

The developer of No Excuse For Abuse!, the Safer Streets Trust, welcomes any comments and suggestions you might care to offer.

Dr Ian Hassall
Former Commissioner for Children