Minister quizzed on abuse figures
Taking responsibility
State Minister for Children Tracey Martin is justly concerned that 220 already damaged children in state care were subjected to further harm in 2018 (March 15).
However, in trying to find cases that should not be counted, the minister cites the example of an institutionalised teenage girl over the age of 16 (hypothetical I hope) who may choose to trade sex for alcohol.
The minister claims that this action would not break the law and the young woman would be exercising free will so it should not be counted in the statistics.
In making such a judgment, Ms Martin is ignoring not only the power imbalance between the supplier of alcohol, presumably a state care employee, for sexual favours and the young woman concerned but also the ethics of the whole arrangement occurring under the auspices of a state controlled entity tasked with upholding the well-being of very vulnerable people.
Free will and the age of consent are irrelevant here. The actions of the employee in accepting sexual favours for the provision of alcohol would constitute both a clear breach of ethics and predatory behaviour while holding a position of trust.
If the minister truly believes this is indeed a case which could be overlooked, she urgently needs instruction in both institutional ethics and her responsibility to the very vulnerable children and young people whose welfare she controls.
Alternatively, her portfolio could be transferred to someone who better understands the judgment and sensitivity it requires.
Jenny McNamara
Minister for Children Tracey Martin replied:
Given the way Ms McNamara has interpreted my comments, I can fully understand she is upset.
Let me be clear – I in no way condone harm in any form to any child or young person in the care of Oranga Tamariki.
I can also say categorically, that any sexual relations between Oranga Tamariki staff and those in care, no matter their age, is a crime.
Thankfully, this is extremely rare. There has only been one accusation of this behaviour since the ministry was formed, and the staff member involved is currently facing criminal charges.
The example your correspondent has reacted to was part of a long interview I gave in which I was trying to explain that the ministry has higher duties of care – and what would be reported as harm – than parents with their children.
This context is important. Unless a young person is in a Oranga Tamariki youth justice facility, they are not locked up.
Like every other teenager they have free will and can make mistakes and, sadly, be taken advantage of.
Children and young people in Oranga Tamariki care are in a number of situations, including with their family, with whanau, and in group homes.
What the ministry did last year was establish the Safety of Children in Care unit in 2018 so that there was a focus on and transparency around children and young people’s safety in care.
This new data shows that in the vast majority of cases where children are taken into care, they are kept safe.
We also know that some children continue to experience a range of harm – emotional, physical, neglect, and sexual – from family, other adults or other children.
In setting up the Safety of Children in Care unit, the ministry wanted the full picture of what type of harm was occurring where.
This will mean the ministry can identify and understand risk factors, themes and patterns and make change where it’s needed.
What we do know is that the children and young people who come into our care often have complex needs, and managing those needs safely is difficult.
Many have already been harmed when they come into our care, and research tells us that it makes them more vulnerable to further harm.
Thankfully, most of the harm experienced is at the lower end of the spectrum – it is not what most people would think of as ‘‘abuse’’ – and every instance is followed up and acted upon.
So while the data is distressing, it is critical that it is released because transparency is the best disinfectant, and because the agency is committed to being open and to improving its performance.
It is a little over a week since our nation was rocked by the cold blooded killing of so many innocent people. We are still coming to terms with the fact that terrorism, driven by blind hatred, has reached our shores.
Our hearts go out to all those families who have had their lives torn apart by this callous and senseless act.
These horrendous events have naturally overshadowed a couple of local milestones in the past few days that I need to acknowledge.
We have had the announcement of the new skills-based board which will be responsible for advancing the Southland Regional Development Strategy, taking over many of Venture Southland’s previous roles while retaining the existing skilled staff.
While it has taken longer than expected to reach this important point, sometimes good things take time.
I am looking forward to the new entity getting up and running, building on the success of its predecessor and providing a united Southland voice, which we know is essential to secure support and funding from Government and other investors.
The other significant announcement was 17 people who will make up the regional forum. We were thrilled to receive 60 expressions of interest from across Southland.
It was both humbling and extremely encouraging to have so many talented and capable people prepared to put their hands up to be considered for this role.
The quality of applicants was high, which made the selection panel’s job very difficult, but we hope to be able to utilise all applicants in some way during the period the regional forum operates.
The regional forum will advise us on how we can achieve Southlanders’ aspirations for freshwater, including advice on regulatory and non-regulatory methods.
While we are required to set limits by 2025, the real gains in water quality will be achieved by thousands of individuals, groups and communities identifying and putting into place on-the-ground initiatives.
These will include riparian fencing and plantings, sediment traps, enhanced and restored wetlands, to name but a few.
Our land sustainability team are available to offer free advice and support, so give them a call.
One of the early responses on social media to the tragedy in Christchurch was the ‘‘that’s not us’’ campaign.
It raises the question, what are the strengths and qualities that broadly define us as a nation?
We are a multicultural nation who, broadly speaking, are open and honest, tolerant and caring.
We are proud of our country with its stunning scenery and people, without being blindly nationalistic.
We produce people with flair and innovation, determination and strength of character who can compete on the world stage in far greater numbers than our population would suggest.
At a time when people are struggling with this horrible incident, we perhaps should take a moment to reflect on what we already have in New Zealand and be united in our resolve to protect what we take for granted.
New Zealanders have sent a clear message to national and local government that they want an improvement in water quality and the sustainable management of our resources.
We’ve talked to our communities and listened to their hopes and goals for our region and we’ve already seen many groups coming together and making plans about how they can help achieve these goals.
In light of recent events we also need to face up to the subtleties of the blame game and the unconscious bias it creates.
Making the change we all want will not be achieved through blame.
Aspirational goals require a united ‘‘it’s about all of us’’ approach to successfully establish a pathway which has broad support.
I have high hopes that our newly announced regional forum will be that sort of vehicle.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Nicol Horrell is the chairman of Environment Southland