We work to free children from harm
How are children being harmed?
Every child has the right to a childhood free from harm, but New Zealand has unacceptably high levels of child abuse.
Child abuse isn’t just physical violence. It may be facing constant criticism, being degraded, or feeling fearful at home.
It could be failing to receive medical care, being left alone unsupervised, or receiving excessive discipline. It might also be inappropriate touching, or adults initiating sexual conversations with children.
Most child abuse occurs within the family environment but it can happen anywhere - at school, in the larger community, or online.
The signs of child abuse are not always obvious, and abuse frequently goes undetected and unreported.
We need to support all kiwi kids
We must work together to end violence against children.
Supporting the good
UNICEF wants a future free of violence against all children. In New Zealand, we advocate for child rights, and support positive parenting strategies with an aim to end harm against children.
We also advocate for programmes that address poverty and economic inequalities, and focus on reducing alcohol and drug abuse. Read more about what our dedicated Advocacy Team are doing in New Zealand here.
Positive Parenting
New Zealand has a woeful record of child abuse at the hands of parents and family members, often as a result of punishment that went too far.
Helping parents understand their child’s development, and how to manage and discipline children without hitting them is part of creating a society with less violence in the home. For more information about positive parenting, visitwww.skip.org.nz.
What's the situation in New
Zealand?
New Zealand has one of the worst records of child abuse in the developed world.
Violence against kids often begins as physical punishment, and then evolves into full-scale abuse. This can cause prolonged and severe damage to young developing brains. Children under five years, and particularly infants and newborns, are most at risk of violence and maltreatment in New Zealand.
Experiencing or witnessing abuse in the early years is linked to learning and anxiety disorders, mental and physical health problems, drug and alcohol abuse, insecurity and depression, low self-esteem, and early pregnancy.
Every year Oranga Tamariki receives more than 150,000 reports of concern relating to children.
Tens of thousands of child abuse cases are reported every year
Our child abuse statistics
On average a child dies every five weeks as a result of violence in New Zealand, and children under 12 months old make up the majority of this statistic. Children under the age of 18 make up 20% of all violent deaths in New Zealand.
Exposure
A 2012 survey found 7% of youth had witnessed adults at home physically hurting each other and 14% had witnessed adults physically hurting children.
Victims
In 2015, there were 14 victims of homicide aged under 14 years. Eleven of those victims were aged under five years old.
Assaults
In 2015, there were 6,491 recorded instances of common and serious assaults on a child and 1,982 for sexual assaults on a child.
Sexual Abuse
20% of girls and 9% of boys in New Zealand report unwanted sexual touching or being forced to do sexual things.
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UNICEF Aotearoa helps save and protect the world's most vulnerable children