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Keeping our children safe


For our latest safety information, see the Be Safe, Feel Safe booklet.

 

We’re all responsible for keeping children safe in our families and communities. It’s also important for children to know how to identify unsafe behaviour and what to do if they feel unsafe.

We encourage parents are other caregivers to talk to children about what inappropriate behaviour and actions look like, rather than the “types of people” that could cause harm.

Advice for families, whanau and caregivers:

  • Listen carefully to your child – take notice of anything unusual and discuss what they can do if it happens again.
  • Always know where your child is, and only leave them with trustworthy people. Consider asking caregivers for references.
  • Show your child how to get safely to and from school and other common places. Teach them to walk with friends, not alone.
  • Stay in touch with local parents and know who your child walks home with.
  • Provide your child with a list of useful contacts and emergency phone numbers.
  • Discuss with your child how to identify and report unsafe behaviour.
  • Encourage your child to take action when they feel uncomfortable, unsafe or scare – they may be able to talk to a trusted adult, teacher, or Police officer.

Advice for children:

  • Tell someone if you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or scared.
  • If you feel uncomfortable, remove yourself from the situation.
  • Trust your ‘gut instinct’.
  • If the first person you ask doesn’t help, keep trying until someone does.
  • If you see anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to call 111.

Key contacts and further information:

  • If you think someone else’s child is being badly treated or abused, contact Oranga Tamariki–Ministry for Children or Police. In an emergency call 111.
  • Your local play centre, kindergarten, school, library, or Citizens Advice Bureau can provide you with information about personal safety programmes for children.
  • The Police Keeping Ourselves Safe programme provides a guide for parents and caregivers, available through the Police School Portal.
  • Drug education starts long before children are faced with temptation. Material for parents and caregivers is available from the New Zealand Drug Foundation.