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Child abuse – preventing
Key points about preventing child abuse
- Abuse and neglect need to be treated seriously because their effects can be very harmful and may last a lifetime.
- We all have a responsibility to speak up if we're worried about a child.
- Anybody who is worried that a child is being abused or neglected should call 0508 326 459.
- If you or a child are in immediate danger, call the police on 111 within Aotearoa New Zealand (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries).
- The content on this page comes from KidsHealth(external link).
Child abuse can be sexual, physical, or emotional. It can also be neglect. Neglect may include:
- not taking a child to a health professional when they are unwell
- lack of supervision of a child by an adult
- not giving a child proper food or clothing.
Child abuse and neglect can affect tamariki of any age, male and female, from every religion, race and culture.
A child can experience more than 1 form of abuse at a time.
The effects of abuse and neglect are very harmful.
- Nobody knows exactly how much child abuse and neglect goes on in the community because so much of it is hidden.
- Abuse and neglect need to be treated seriously because their effects can be very harmful and may last a lifetime.
- Call Oranga Tamariki on 0508 326 459 if you are worried that a child is being abused or neglected.
If you or a child are in immediate danger, call the police on 111 within New Zealand (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries).
Find out more about preventing child abuse at KidsHealth(external link).
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Credits: Content shared between HealthInfo Canterbury, KidsHealth and Healthify He Puna Waiora as part of a National Health Content Hub Collaborative.
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