Sex abuse among kids high

Others problems include substance abuse, increased anxiety, depression, teen pregnancy, eating disorders, obesity, smoking, infertility and childbirth difficulties.

A 2001 study calculated sexual abuse of children costs New Zealand up to $2.4 billion a year when health, mental health and legal fees are added to losses in earnings and the potential losses to a person's lives.

Womens Refuge and Sexual Assault Resource Centres receive 50 percent of their finances from Child Youth and Family (CYF) and the Ministry of Social Development.

Blenheim centre manager Rachel Black said the balance was raised in the community, keeping services free to victims.

Refuges aim their services at women 17 years and older. Younger girls or boys will be referred to CYF; men are advised to look elsewhere for support.

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Updated 10/7: PEP gives encouragement, guidance to parents

In the beginning, PEP consisted of roughly 15 parents, who got together to discuss issues such as teen drinking, depression and discipline, as well as how to maintain a good relationship with their teens.

Over time, PEP decided it would be productive to bring in professionals to contribute to the group. McClain began talking with District 86 Superintendent Nicholas Wahl, who openly accepted PEP into the district's Parent Teacher Organization last fall.

"District 86 is a big proponent of reaching out not just to students, but to the entire school community to promote lifelong learning," Wahl said.

With Wahl's help, PEP was able to recruit speakers who touched on topics such as addiction, the raising of capable teens in the 21st century and the joys of parenting.

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