Police Backlog of Child Abuse Cases

The Independent Police Conduct Authority and the New Zealand Police have announced investigations into significant delays in the investigation of cases of child abuse in Wairarapa.

Police were criticised last week by a Masterton District Court Judge for the two year lag in the prosecution of a man for assault on his two daughters in 2006 and 2007.

A further backlog of 108 cases have been acknowledged in Wairarapa during planning for a new Wellington Region Child Safety Team. Several other regions have acknowledged a significant build up.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority was notified of the issues by Police in June this year and is now conducting its own investigation into Police management of child abuse cases in the Wairarapa; and overseeing an internal Police investigation.

The full media release from the IPCA is available at http://www.ipca.govt.nz/Site/media/2009/2009-Aug12-Wairarapa.aspx