Two anti-violence organisations in the Eastern Bay of Plenty are being housed together to tackle the high number of serious child abuse cases in the area.

There were 225 reports of child abuse investigated by authorities in the Eastern Bay between October 2010 and October this year.

Child, Youth and Family and the Eastern Bay of Plenty Police Child Protection Team and Family Violence Unit are now located in Pyne Street in Whakatane.

Child, Youth and Family regional director Greg Versalko says housing these organisations together should ensure a better coordinated response.

'Child, Youth and Family share a common goal of keeping children and young people safe in the community and the two organisations work together very closely.

'The co-location site in Whakatane will strengthen our working relationships, but also help us work together more effectively under the Child Protection Protocol to improve the management of cases involving serious child abuse.”
Greg says the new location brings a better understanding of each other's roles and how decisions are made.

'Being in the same place means we can be more responsive, as we have all the information and people right here, resulting in face-to-face, timely, well-informed decision-making about the investigation of reports of concern.”

The Eastern Bay of Plenty Police Area Commander, Inspector Sandra Venables, says the physical environment of the facility has also been specifically designed for victims and their families.

She says serious child abuse is a sad reality across the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

'The physical co-location ensures we have the right people in the same place to help address this issue.

'Just as importantly, the facility has specifically been designed as a safe environment for victims and their families.”

The new facility includes rooms for interviews and medical examinations, combined with the support of police and CYF staff.

Sandra says this means victims are receiving the best care and service in one place. 'Our focus is on putting the victim first and we have created a safe and caring environment to allow that to happen.”

Police Minister Judith Collins officially opened the new site in Whakatane on Monday.

'Police and Child, Youth and Family deal with the horrors of child abuse every day.

'What has become clear is there are significant benefits for victims of child abuse in having agencies under one roof.

'This approach puts more information at the fingertips of those who can help child victims, and it puts the needs of these victims at the centre of the work these agencies do together.

'These partnerships also provide a vital link from these agencies back to the many community groups that work so hard to provide ongoing support to our most vulnerable victims.”