Child Abuse Conference focus on young people

11 February 2006
For Immediate Release

A major Australasian conference on child abuse and neglect provides an opportunity for young Kiwis to have their say on this important issue.

Over 800 people are expected to attend the Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (ACCAN) which will be opened by the Governor General, Dame Sylvia Cartwright and takes place over three days from 14-16 February.

The conference theme: Kia Puawai Nga Tamariki Blossoming of our children - Resilience, Rights, Responsibilities aims to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and look at how best to prevent it. The programme includes speeches and workshops led by young people.

Keynote speakers include Chairperson of the UN Committee of the Rights of the Child, Professor Jaap Doek from Amsterdam; Dr Joan Durrant, Child-Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor of Family Social Sciences at the University of Manitoba; Professor of Social Work and Social Policy from Trinity College in Dublin, Robbie Gilligan; Anna Pinto from the Centre for Organisation, Research and Education in India; and the first NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People, Gillian Calvert. Speakers will cover a range of topics including innovation in child protection and using children’s right to advocate for strategic change.

As well as the keynote speakers, the conference will feature speeches and workshops looking at the blossoming of our children; key issues in child sexual abuse; family violence; prevention and early intervention including a workshop on New South Wales’ early intervention initiatives; resilience in indigenous communities; physical discipline and guidance with an address by Jamie Hosking from the University of Auckland “Is Smacking in New Zealand a Public Health Problem?” and international perspectives on discipline and guidance.

Children’s Commissioner Dr Cindy Kiro is delighted the conference is being held in New Zealand.

“This a great opportunity to hear from international and local experts. It is a real coming together of community experience and academic expertise. We are very fortunate with the quality of keynote speakers we have here for ACCAN. We are also delighted that a number of young people will be making keynote speeches on issues such as the stigma still associated with being in care and what it’s like to be a young carer for a dependant adult. The conference gives us a chance to celebrate the expertise we are developing locally. Our child abuse legislation is still seen by international experts as leading the field.” she said.

It is the first time ACCAN has been held in New Zealand and there is a strong Maori and Pacific influence with a powhiri for speakers and all conference delegates on Monday evening.

ACCAN is co-hosted by the Ministry of Social Development, Office of the Children’s Commissioner and the Department of Child Youth and Family Services. Further information including the conference programme is available at Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect website.

For media enquiries please contact Jane Mortlock on 04 916 3496 or 029  231  6197.