Oranga Tamariki published data not long ago detailing the number and nature of abuse/neglect cases happening to children in state care. I pointed out then that many children who are 'in state care' officially are nevertheless in the day-to-day of their parents or family members.
Today RNZ reports:
Oranga Tamariki released data showing its own staff have harmed children in care eight times in the space of six months: six cases of physical harm, and one each of sexual and emotional harm.My immediate response is surprise at how low the number is.
'Children' can include individuals up to 18 years of age. Some will be incredibly difficult to handle. Doubtless they will require firmness; may provoke and may attack. Some will be pre-prison characters.
I would dearly love to know more about these cases but privacy dictates details can never be released.
But I don't see 8 cases in 6 months as a rod to use on the back of people doing extremely difficult work.
