CYF worker allegedly punched teen in face

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Mon, 21 Nov 2011 6:05p.m.

CYF say they are taking the situation extremely seriously

CYF say they are taking the situation extremely seriously

By Charlotte Shipman

A Child, Youth and Family staff member has been suspended and a police investigation is under way after it is alleged he punched a 15-year-old in the face at the Richmond Police Station near Nelson.

It is believed the teenager was at the police station because he had had a disagreement with his mother about going to stay with his foster family.

At some point during a conversation with the CYF worker at the police station, it is alleged that worker punched the teenager in the face.

Police have confirmed when the youth came out of the interview room he had a bloodied nose.

After the incident the teenager went on the run for 11 days, this morning returning to the police station to be formally interviewed.

CYF say they are taking the situation extremely seriously, saying the Ministry of Social Development have zero tolerance for this behaviour and if found guilty the will worker will lose their job.

Police will know if they will lay charges towards the end of this week.

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Comments

22 Nov 2011 08:25a.m.

In dispair wrote:

As has been noted in recent times there is a culture of violence and aggression with in CYF. Both in their own homes and at work. Parents and children are often yelled at, threatened , shoved and slapped by CYF staff. Parents risk having their kids removed if they speak out. Kids risk not being returned home. Several senior CYF staff have been convicted of serious abuse to their own children in the last few months. This parallels a surge in violent offenses against children being ignored by CYF despite repeat notifications by worried family and neighbours. Time to have a serious look into how the child abuse "protection" racket is being run.

21 Nov 2011 11:45p.m.

Wayne Jackson wrote:

While this social worker may be guilty, he may not. These children are very challenging. I have caregived for these types of children for 3 years now and in this time i have seen social workers attacked, put in hospital and offices and home smashed up by some of these type of teenagers. They also tend to hurt themselves and blame the social workers and caregivers so i hope that police station had camera's before laying charges. I do not condone this social worker if he did assault the child but, what caused it to happen. 15 year old these days are just as violent as an adult and should be treated that way also, as an adult. New Zealand law needs to change accommodating these violent teens. The law gives some of these kids to many chances and that is why they don't learn. As for CYF in general i am not sticking up for them, we have had our own major issues with them and their family homes. But most of the social workers go through things the normal every day person would not cope.

21 Nov 2011 10:43p.m.

Kiwijack wrote:

The little sh.t probably deserved it. That's the problem nowadays is that teenagers know all their rights and have carte blanche to do as they please with no consequences.
Promote the CYFs worker to instill some good old common sense approach instead of PC mamby pamby rubbish.

21 Nov 2011 09:39p.m.

Owen wrote:

The CYF worker may be guilty of assault but then may be he was pushed to do it. Young children and teens can be very clever and manipulative and know exactly what buttons to push if they think they will come out with the upper hand. Especially if they are street wise. I would prefer to wait to know what really happened then I would be able to make a judgement on his conduct. He may be guilty or not.

21 Nov 2011 08:19p.m.

Paul wrote:

@kevin: You should be charged with mangling the English language.

21 Nov 2011 07:11p.m.

kevin wrote:

the cyfs worker that is involed should be fired and cyfs as a company should be charged with aussault