FROM THE EDITOR

Over the years I have covered many child-abuse cases – far too many. I would go home after a tough day editing the harrowing copy and look at my baby girls and ask, how can this happen?

But it does. Our country’s horrific child-abuse statistics are our biggest shame. This week Stuff.co.nz relaunched the Faces of Innocents project, sharing the stories of some of the children taken too soon.

There is a child victim toll which will be the measure of New Zealand’s progress to address the problems of child abuse, neglect and maltreatment. And there is a call to action – ways all of us can help bring about change.

The Child Victim Toll echoes the road toll – a concept that draws strength from simplicity. Transport safety is complex, but the toll boils it down to a single imperative: reduce this number, by whatever means necessary.

Child safety is arguably even more complex. But there is one fundamental measure of success: fewer child victims. See page 9 for more. – Sharron Pardoe