Average Kiwi families could be subject to greater state scrutiny if proposed rules around mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse are introduced.
A Families Commission report, released today, says agencies' inadequate systems are putting vulnerable children at risk.
It calls for better information-sharing between government departments and enhanced reporting by health professionals to safeguard at-risk children.
But it also suggests controversial new measures that could expose innocent mums and dads to greater government intervention if child abuse is suspected.
More than 22,000 children suffered emotional, physical and sexual abuse, or neglect, in the last financial year. Every year an average of 10 children die at the hands of their family or carers.
And how many of those abused children live with their biological married parents?
That is the elephant in the room - children are far more likely to be abused if their parent is a single mother and she has a live in boyfriend, but is the Government even directing their attention to irregular relationship setups? No. They just want greater scrutiny of parents who love and care for their children and live in such a way that abuse would be incredibly rare.
Related link : Plan to keep Kiwi kids safe