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CYFS Failures

A 15 year old girl escaped CYFS care and protection to work as a stripper in Nelson.

MP Nick Smith said :
"It's not good enough - I don't care how many mealy-mouthed words we have from the department or the police: we can't have 15-year-old girls stripping in this country, we've got to fix it."
Police should be given the power to prosecute club owners who "exploited" young women, he said. The Prostitution Reform Bill, passed by Parliament in June, had "given an invitation for these scumbags to exploit young women".

We question Dr Smith's judgement in politicising the case. It is a failure to contain an out of control teenager, and not the Prostitution Reform Bill that is at fault. And sexual activity with a minor is a chargable offence.

Strip clubs are licenced and if they employ under aged girls, the licence may be revoked. If that happens, then another scumbag who does not abuse children can run the joint.

The Prostitution Reform Bill allows a clearer definition of what is right and wrong. It is not a licence for child abuse.

Dr Smith may however be right that residential schools may form part of a real solution for the young people who are out of control or need help or come from broken homes.

CYFS requires more than good leadership. It requires a clear and unequivocal message and mission statement. It is here to help families. Now it is time for it to get organised.

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