Abusive mother sent letter to John Key

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Fri, 24 Dec 2010 6:04p.m.

Bennett didn't know about the open letter until 3 News contacted her office today

Bennett didn't know about the open letter until 3 News contacted her office today

By Rachel Morton

The first the public knew about this horror story was when two people were charged - one, her mother, on 33 counts.

But now 3 News can reveal the existence of the mother's letter - and the warning light that came on with its arrival on the ninth floor of the Beehive.

Do you think John Key and Paula Bennett did enough to prevent the abuse?

 

The letter was sent to Prime Minister John Key, and then forwarded to Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Paula Bennett's office won't say what was written in the letter but 3 News understands it's similar to an open letter written by the mother and also obtained by 3 News.

In it she says:

“I hate CYFS so much because when I was depressed after I had my daughter I had asked so much people for help including my midwife...

“CYFS decided it was ok to come and uplift my baby straight away from me and even got the police involved to arrest me if I didn't give up my baby.

“My daughter went into care when she was three months old and while she was in CYFS care and protection my daughter was sexually assaulted even though CYFS know about the incident they have paid for 12 sessions of counselling and are not prepared to pay for anymore counselling at all.

“I want to sue the department for this grief, pain, trauma, stress that they have caused my family.”

Bennett didn't know about the open letter until 3 News contacted her office today, but she did know about the letter addressed to the Prime Minister, which she says she did respond to.

She won't reveal what she said as it's part of an investigation being carried out by Child Youth and Family.

It may also be used as evidence in court, and there's talk of an independent public inquiry.

The girl's parents are due to appear in court again next year - the Government says it won't release the letter it received until after the court case.

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Comments

25 Dec 2010 10:29p.m.

harrison wrote:

it is sad that the letter went to the top but it fell on deaf ears. mr key should have demanded action not pass the buck. harrison

25 Dec 2010 06:05a.m.

Glenn wrote:

Putting this aside there is no excuse to torture your child in such a way. The only one's to blame are the parents.

24 Dec 2010 11:48p.m.

katrina wrote:

She is right, there is no help for post natal depression except the famous Prozac. There is only help for you if you are suicidal or going to murder your kids. Who knows if that is going to happen? This aside, there is still no excuse for treating your kids like that. Writing to the PM is not going to justify your past actions.

24 Dec 2010 11:39p.m.

Ditto wrote:

Quote: "when I was depressed after I had my daughter I had asked so much people for help including my midwife..."

This is soooo familiar.

Quote: "CYFS decided it was ok to come and uplift my baby straight away from me".

24 Dec 2010 09:10p.m.

Lightseed wrote:

the letter reads more of someone threatening legal action than asking for help

24 Dec 2010 07:36p.m.

Mis Creant wrote:

There are too many incidences of CYF turning a blind eye and enabling abusers , particularly child molesters. There is little or no funding given for supports for families that need it . For want of a few hundred dollars , families are flailing. John Key and Paula Bennett know this , community agencies recommend to people with concerns to write to Key and Bennett all the time on these issues. Many People follow this advice to no avail. The leaders of our country and those paid 100 000+ incomes to protect and support our kids don't care. They take tax payer money and run . Concerned family members can fight and be punished by the system for years while kids are in danger, too often lethal. Has the wholesale massacre of infants in this country taught politicians nothing. In some ways it makes them worse than the abusers

24 Dec 2010 07:35p.m.

Olivia wrote:

There is no question that Child Youth and Family services stuff up.

There is no question that as a result of their errors, people suffer.

What if offered in recompense is normally a quick letter from the CEO of the Ministry of Social Development, Mr Peter Hughes.

But what is offered is never what is deserved, if you are lucky you get a small ex gratia payment which doesnt cover the costs associated with the damage that has been done.

We have children being raped in Cyfs care, being beaten and psychologically damaged.

Isnt it about time to make Child Youth and Family Services just a little more accountable for the damage that they themselves inflict through their repeated errors.

Remember, Child Youth and Family services also in the past has had workers that have abused children... people like Peter Liddell A psychiatric care specialist that worked alongside the Department of social Welfare.

The best way to make the Ministry of Social development do its job properly is to make it more accountable to parents and children.

It suprises me that Ms Bennett wouldnt reveal the contents of the letter, I mean since when has privacy even meant a thing to her.