More than 220 children abused in Oranga Tamariki care in 2018

Thursday, 14 March 2019

An investigation into abuse in state care has found more than 220 already-damaged children were further harmed in 2018.

Of the reported abuse, 36 children were sexually harmed, 182 physically harmed, 35 neglected and 83 emotionally harmed by caregivers, family members, other children and Oranga Tamariki staff.

The majority of the abused were placed with families they had remained with, or returned to, after state intervention; families said to be supported by Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children.

The 'disturbing' level of abuse, released by Oranga Tamariki on Friday, comes as no surprise to those who work with vulnerable children.

* More bullying reports at Oranga Tamariki-Ministry for Children

* Social worker attempted suicide after extensive bullying at Ministry for Children

* WorkSafe fails to take a prosecution on a single bullying case**

Oranga Tamariki chief executive Gráinne Moss said the two quarterly reports, titled Safety of Children in Care, were a distressing read and 'absolutely not good enough'.

To the children abused in state care, she said: 'We are here, we are listening, you tell us what's wrong and we'll fix it'.

Minister for Children Tracey Martin said an apology would be too simplistic. 'We did not look after them well enough, we need to do better'.

Oranga Tamariki Chief Executive Grainne Moss has released two reports into abuse suffered by children in the ministry's care.

The report, which will be released each quarter, is part of an effort to eliminate harm among the 6,300 children in care and comes almost two-years after Oranga Tamariki replaced Child, Youth and Family.

It takes a broad view of abuse, with sexual harm including cases of consensual sex where there is a power imbalance, physical harm including both intentional and unintentional injury, and emotional abuse including witnessing intimate partner violence.

The reports released Friday cover instances of abuse found during a six-month period in 2018, detailing both the perpetrators and where the abuse happened – in family placement, non-family placement, in the home and in state care facilities.

Family and non-family caregivers were responsible for all neglect and emotional abuse, as well as the majority of physical abuse, of which most instances involved inappropriate discipline of a child.

Much of the sexual abuse occurred in non-family placements, being approved caregivers, non-governmental organisation, and group homes. Of this, more than 50 per cent happened outside of where the child was homed.

Māori children, who make up 59 per cent of those in state care, were disproportionately abused..

The reports show Oranga Tamariki staff abused those in care in a number of cases, including one instance of sexual harm which is now before the courts.

'We've taken immediate action, and that action has sometimes involved the police.,' Moss said.

Asked if the victims would escape further abuse, Moss said the locations of abused children had been changed, the risk of further abuse removed and safety plans were in place.

Minister for Children Tracey Martin said the abuse of children in state care was had her 'deeply disappointed', but understanding the stories behind some of the findings gave a clearer view.

'We're confident that we have taken decisive and immediate action.'

She said the ministry now had a handle on abuse in state care, and had hired 300 social workers dedicated to supporting family and whānau caregivers.

'We have invested heavily in caregiver social workers, we have invested in a 24-hour helpline, we've invested in a series of training [sessions] across the country, and that does seem to be paying off.

'Could we have provided more support? The answer is yes. That's what's very valuable about this information.'

Martin said the level of harm at first had her 'deeply disappointed and concerned'.

But understanding the detail behind some of the abuse permitted Martin a clearer view. For instance, a teenage girl over 16-years-old may choose to have sex with someone for alcohol, which would not break the law.

'Oranga Tamariki has a higher standard for the young woman in their care … they would still consider this is not appropriate, this is a level of harm we are not keen on.

'Those numbers always concern me but we have to remember there are human beings in there with free-will.'

Both Moss and Martin said the number of children abused in state care needed to drop, but neither considered a target possible.

Martin said: 'Do I think it will ever be zero? No, I don't, because I live in a real world.'

SEA CHANGE YET TO COME

Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft said it was realistic to eliminate abuse in state care, and quickly reduce the number of reported cases.

'There's no way around the conclusion that the figures are deeply disturbing, they're distressing and they're utterly unacceptable, because children in care ought to be free of abuse and neglect.'

He said the reports 'demolished' any perception that abuse in state care had ended, and reinforced the need for a royal commission of inquiry.

Becroft congratulated Oranga Tamariki for revealing the extent of the issue, and was encouraged by the 'positive first steps' being taken towards overhauling the state care system.

'But a sea change in approach and attitude will need to take place. And that's still to be demonstrated on the frontline, in region by region.

'We're the midst of the biggest overhaul the state care services have ever seen, this is the biggest opportunity. I'd be deeply disillusioned if in two years time the stats hadn't changed.'

Oranga Tamariki - Safety of Children in Care, July to September 2018 by Anonymous jlKATDoSIW on Scribd

THE ABUSE

The 227 children abused suffered:

* Physical abuse - 182 children

* Sexual abuse - 36 children

* Emotional abuse - 83 children

* Neglect - 35 children

* Total 'findings of harm' - 336

Oranga Tamariki - Safety of Children in Care, October to December 2018 by Anonymous jlKATDoSIW on Scribd