The latest state government statistics show a sharp spike in child abuse reports - within just one month.
There’s a drastic increase in the number of people reporting child abuse, and more of those reports are being assessed as requiring investigation.
Sadly, fewer phone calls from the public are being answered – with almost 400 calls never picked up. Callers who are answered are on hold for an average 26 minutes.
The November 2019 statistics reveal that compared to the previous month:
Almost 1000 extra reports of abuse and neglect were made by the public
The number of calls never answered jumped by almost 400
Callers were put on hold for 6 minutes longer (an average 26 minute wait)
There were more than 900 extra online reports
Minister Rachel Sanderson has promised to reduce the number of children in care, yet under her watch 546 more children have come into care – a rise of 13% since the 2018 election.
Quotes attributed to the Shadow Minister for Child Protection Jayne Stinson
It’s little wonder that dramatically fewer calls are being answered – with the shock revelation that it’s now standard practice for call centre workers to be asked to care for children on their shifts.
Call centre workers can’t answer calls if they’re minding vulnerable children – sometimes in their own offices.
The Minister has failed to recruit enough foster carers, leading to call centre workers being asked to care for children who have just been removed from their parents.