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Child protection (when abuse has occurred)Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. Key points to remember
 Back to TopWhat medical services are available for children who have been abused?Paediatric services at your local hospital usually see acute cases of physical abuse. Often CYF (Child, Youth and Family) or the police become involved first, and refer the child or young person to a relevant doctor for a physical examination.
If you take your child to see a doctor because of a concern about sexual abuse, they should refer you to a doctor who is specially trained in sexual abuse care. DSAC (Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care) provides this training for doctors in New Zealand. Some doctors may have received training in sexual abuse care overseas.
In some areas, a paediatrician at the local hospital will be the DSAC trained doctor. In other areas, it will be a GP (general practitioner).
Your family doctor, local accident and emergency clinic, or hospital emergency department should always be able to consult with a DSAC-trained doctor. All DSAC doctors are trained in the care of sexual assault victims, and are willing to help you.
The local police or the paediatrician at your local hospital will be able to help you to find a DSAC doctor. You can contact the DSAC National Office directly during working hours (for DSAC contact details, see Child protection (more information, resources, support)). DSAC regional liaison doctors can also refer you to a DSAC doctor in your area. There are DSAC regional liaison doctors throughout New Zealand. There is a 2010 listing of DSAC regional liaison doctors on the DSAC website.
In some areas, there are dedicated health services for child and adolescent abuse. For example, in Auckland, Te Puaruruhau is a regional service for children and young people in the 0 - 19 age group who have experienced abuse or neglect. This service is located in a multi-agency centre with the New Zealand Police and the Department of Child, Youth and Family. The centre is called Puawaitahi. Referrals to this service will usually be made by your doctor or local hospital, or your local CYF (Child, Youth and Family) or police station.
Back to TopWhat happens when my child sees a doctor for sexual abuse?The DSAC (Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care) website provides information for families and children on the medical care and assessment of sexual abuse and assault. Going to the doctor includes information under the following headings:
Back to TopSurviving sexual abuseCounselling may help the healing process for a child or young person who has been the victim of abuse. As this is a very specialised area, your child should only see an approved counsellor who has experience in this area.
ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) provides ACC-approved counsellors for children who have been sexually abused and can help with some of the costs of counselling. You can find registered counsellors by region, including ACC-approved sexual abuse counsellors, at the ACC website. For ACC contact details, see Child protection (more information, resources, support)).
You can contact your local CAB (Citizens’ Advice Bureau) for details of local crisis counselling services, as these differ from centre to centre.
There is factsheet on surviving sexual assault at the DSAC (Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care) website. The DSAC website also has a factsheet about help for children. There is information on the following:
Back to TopWhere to go for more information and supportOn this website
Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 17/09/2010
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2012
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