Abuse Not Easy to Prevent

By MAIKE VAN DER HEIDE AND RICHARD MILLER Marlborough Express - Blenheim,New Zealand

All welcomed a government move for mandatory questioning in public hospitals about child abuse and domestic violence but said it could take several interventions for screening to work, and pointed out extra money will be needed for the follow up.

Sergeant Tom Yardley of the Blenheim said police often visited the same homes repeatedly about family violence but couldn't take action until there was enough evidence to prosecute somebody.

Often the abuse was not physical but verbal, or physical violence was not reported to police.
He said often it was up to the victim to leave and it could take up to seven or more interventions from agencies before a woman would be ready to take the difficult first step.

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