Children and Violence

Police statistics[i] reflect recorded and reported crimes, but many instances of child victimisation (especially family violence and sexual abuse) remain unreported or diverted to other agencies (e.g., Oranga Tamariki). That said the reported crimes of violence against children provide some information about the risks that children face.

While the number of child victims is double in the Whangarei area in comparison with the Far North police area, both areas have an increasing trend for the number of victims of sexual offences, while victims of assault are a declining trend.

Hospitalisation rates for reported assault, abuse or neglect is another way to look trends and conditions for risk to Tamariki. Risks remain highest for Tamariki Māori.