Child abuse report reveals a “hidden cost” exceeding 2 billion for child abuse in New Zealand.

A timely analysis of the actual costs to society of child abuse reveals costs that greatly exceed expectations. A lifetime of psychological services, unemployment or imprisonment is a significant drag on the national resource. Child abuse takes on many shades from the severe to the hidden.

It is not just parents hitting their children, it is parents who fight and argue, it is sexual abuse, it is poverty and related issues like alcoholism, drug addiction and gambling that deny children a safe and happy environment in which to develop their minds and become productive citizens.

“…the victims often became unproductive members of society.”

Barnardos advocacy manager Deborah Morris-Travers said the economic analysis showed that failure to support families and prevent maltreatment of children was extremely costly long term. “It comes down to us needing a fundamental shift in priorities and in mindset so hopefully we appreciate that if we do get it right for children we all benefit.

“New Zealand doesn’t rate well compared with our OECD counterparts. We have the worst child death by maltreatment rate in the world, so it’s about identifying a range of different things we can do to better support families and build stronger communities so children are not vulnerable to maltreatment.”