Violence Against Children Key Issue for Paediatric Society of New Zealand

Violence against children is a key issue at the AGM of the Paediatric Society of New Zealand's annual meeting, which starts today in Auckland. 

Children in NZ are dying because of violence at a rate that remains unacceptably high, according to Children's Commissioner Russell Wills, who will attend the AGM.

''The problem is linked to various social issues that we are working to change with the recent introduction of the Ministry of Health's family violence intervention programme.''

According to the New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse, the reporting of physical abuse of children has risen 30 per cent over the last seven years, from 1864 to 2886 a year.

Police report that 10 children are killed every year and more than 20,000 women and children are taken into refuge centres as a result of household violence.

The conference runs until Friday with sessions on subjects ranging from eating disorders and suicide to pain management and adolescent sex.

You can read the full article via the Stuff website here.

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