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CYFs allowed girl to live with rapist

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CYFs allowed girl to live with rapist

3News NZ

The woman says she was abused by her Tauranga-based uncle (file pic)

The woman says she was abused by her Tauranga-based uncle (file pic)

Child Youth and Family (CYFs) says it has closed a loophole which allowed a 16-year-old Taranaki girl to be placed in the care of a convicted rapist and apologised for allowing it to happen.

The woman says she was abused by her Tauranga-based uncle - previously jailed for six years for his part in a gang rape - and one of his friends and is now HIV positive, as is her firstborn child, Marae Investigates reports.

In 2001 she had been charged with assault, kidnapping and robbery. CYFs would not take her and a family group conference recommended she live with her uncle.

The woman, named "Joanne", complained to the Ministry of Social Development last year.

Now 27, she says she should never have been placed in the care of a convicted rapist.

The ministry has admitted that at the time there was a gap in policy because it wasn't mandatory for CYF staff to do criminal checks around family placement decisions.

"Joanne should never have gone to live with an uncle who was a convicted rapist and we are very sorry this happened to her," said deputy chief executive David Shanks.

Staff at the time were still expected to assess the caregiver's suitability, he said.

The ministry immediately removed Joanne when she informed her social worker that her uncle had abused her and police were contacted.

Earlier this year it became mandatory to do criminal checks on such placements and there are also a range of safety checks.

Joanne said she was happy with the official apology, but it was a shame she had to make her story public for it to happen.

NZN

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Comments

26/06/2012 10:01:21 a.m.

tin man wrote:

CYF homes have far more abuse and neglect going on than the homes children and babies are ripped from. How does this keep happening??? Parents get kids "uplifted " for many dubious reasons of developmental delay, housework not done, library books lying around. Yet these CYF homes kids are shoved in are abominations and cess pits of crime, vice and unemployment. What is happening with our children and our taxes

25/06/2012 11:01:08 a.m.

Floral Paisley wrote:

Far heavier scrutiny and transparency and scrutiny is required into the behaviours and actions of CYF. Over 4000 children a year are uplifted or otherwise coerced from parents. There are no safe and secure placements for theses babies, children and youth in CYF care. CYF caregivers/ foster parents are not properly checked and vetted. They are for the most part former CYF employees, their relatives and fellow church members. They are paid substantial benefits and grants. These people have mental illness, criminal records, alcohol and drug habits, histories of domestic violence , child abuse, prostitution, long term reliance on welfare. They live in gang and crime saturated areas in state houses and get paid by the govt to neglect and abuse our most vulnerable. "CYF Kids" become our highest negative statistics. Death , suicide, mental illness, crime, teen pregnancy, prison, child abuse, child abusers, unemployment, welfare reliance, prostitution, drug abuse. Figures for these children run at over 30%. Far higher than the general population. To the extent where nearly all prisoners and teen mothers spent most of their young lives in CYF care. There are literally 1000s of cases at least as sad as the one above. CYF must clean house immediately.

25/06/2012 9:55:03 a.m.

James wrote:

We need a new government that is made up of adults, not self absorbed, self serving business men. This reality is about life not business! absolutly the most disgusting careless behaviour one could imagen! 30+ % of our people want change, something new! Why do the rest of you put up with this? Because the children sure as hell wont forgive you, and your retirement depends on them! Your all digging your owns graves early!

24/06/2012 6:26:45 p.m.

Glenda wrote:

I have been involved with trying to help a solo Dad whose children ended up in CYFs care.First child went to an alcoholic couple,the boy was sexually abused.Daughter went to CYFs home and was assaulted by the caregiver.She went on to a foster home where she was raped.CYFs need to get their act together but sadly I think there will be many more children put into these environments.

24/06/2012 5:02:18 p.m.

M wrote:

CYF did the same with my son when the father who had had nothing to do with any of his three kids for 13 years stepped in to take my then 16 year old son who was playing up. If I had not insistied they do a police check they would have handed him over to a man who abused me for five years. He had charges of possesing guns illegally and was on medication for depression. His new partner very young with the depression issues and was an alcoholic. To top it all off my sons father and his partner had just had their child taken away for abondoning it at 10 days old. Really suitable people for an out of control teenager aye. They insisted that the father had every right to have my son live with him until I insisted on a police check. The police rep came back and told them under no circumstances was he to be released to his fathers care. My son has since recieved treatment for drugs and alcohol and is doing much better. I can't believe CYFs or the family in this case would let a convicted rapist or gang member take care of their child family or not. If children have been taken out of their family home CFYs are responsible for puttting them in a safe environment. I know of a lot of people that have ended up in places worse that the ones they have been removed from. Step up CYPs and take responsibility for your actions. If parents are to be held accountable for the wellbeing of children in this country so should the people removing them!!

24/06/2012 4:47:03 p.m.

SIMON wrote:

this department is even worse under national than they ever were under labour .

24/06/2012 2:16:25 p.m.

pondering wrote:

Surely it is obvious if family and community members speak out about potential CYF "caregivers" and their abuse , drug and criminal activities that CYF would do the proper checks and refuse to pass on kids to the these offenders. Why do sex offenders keep being given kids by CYF? Children are dieing in CYF care from horrific abuse. Underage prostitution of youth in CYF care is common. The monsters on out front pages have all been heavily abused in CYF care.

24/06/2012 2:06:20 p.m.

Romey & Michelle wrote:

This practice of handing over little kids on a platter to known sex offender family members by CYF is still happening on frequent basis and will continue to until this debacle is opened up and exposed for what it is. Kiddi Farming as it known to CYF staff, is rife. CYF management are well aware they are exploited by abusive family members seeking child victims from potentially vulnerable parents such as young and single parents yet they allow it to continue.