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Step One: Reporting child abuse
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Step One |
If a member of the community is concerned about the safety and well-being of a child or young person, they can contact Child, Youth and Family or the New Zealand Police. Child, Youth and Family will gather additional information to determine if there is a need for further action.
| Reporting Child Abuse | |
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1. |
A report of the abuse or neglect of a child or young person is made to Child, Youth and Family or the New Zealand Police. Reports of child abuse can be made through the Child, Youth and Family national call centre or your local Police station. Any member of the public is able to report child abuse. |
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2. |
A Child, Youth and Family social worker will require specific information from the person reporting child abuse. It is important that the child's contact details are known and anything else about the child that could be helpful such as the school/pre-school they attend. The social worker may ask questions like "what is your concern?", "how many times have you witnessed action(s) that caused you concern?" and "what, if any, injuries were sustained/visible?" This assists the social worker in determining the next steps to take. |
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3. |
The social worker will discuss the information they have gathered with a Child, Youth and Family supervisor and will determine if there is further action required. If further action is required, the social worker will determine how urgent the response should be. If no further action is required the case will be closed and the person making the notification will be advised. |