North and South (254) May 2007 : 60-67

This magazine article explores issues of child neglect, abuse and homicide in New Zealand. It presents statistics showing that every five weeks a child is killed by a parent or caregiver, and compares New Zealand to other countries: of 27 OECD countries, New Zealand is the third worst for child homicide through maltreatment (behind the US and Mexico). The article puts child homicide statistics in the context of ongoing psychological, physical and sexual abuse experienced by children in New Zealand . The article highlights particular cases of abuse, and discusses the Department of Child, Youth and Family's role in these. The article then looks at how New Zealand is responding to the situation. The author examines the government response: Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families, and the bill to repeal section 59 of the Crimes Act (allowing parents to use reasonable force). The article then profiles the work of Lesley Max and the Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) and Maxine Hodgson and Parentline. Illustrated with case studies of people who have been involved with these organisations, the article discusses the approaches used and how they have made a difference.