Report into abuse of nine-year old girl (Smith Report)

The report to Minister Hon Paula Bennett outlines the horrific details of a 9 year old girl referred to only as ‘M’. The report detailing the case of a little girl who was known to 25 agencies before being tortured at the hands of her mother was released shortly before Christmas 2011. The report was written by Mel Smith CNZM.

Commenting that there is no "sliver bullet" answer to the issue of child abuse in New Zealand, Mel Smith concludes the report with 13 recommendations.

In a media statement following the release of this report, the Office of the Children's Commissioner notes that the Green Paper on Vulnerable Chidren "is the best opportunity we have to make tangible changes to the way we protect our children." Submissions on the Green Paper close 28 February 2012.

Access the report in the NZFVC Library

Click here to access a summary of the report in the New Zealand Herald (NZ Herald, 24/12/2011).

Read the Office of the Children's Commissioner media statement (21/12/2011)

Have your say on the Green Paper on Vulnerable Children

 Photo credit: Istock photo