Invercargill toddler allegedly abused by four-year-old at kindergarten

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*The names of those involved have been changed for their protection.

An Invercargill family is furious after their young son was allegedly sexually abused at kindergarten, and the short investigation by the Ministry for Vulnerable Child (MVC) left them feeling "brushed aside".

Sarah*, the boy's mother, told Newshub she's outraged by the attitude of both the school and the Ministry after the incident.

Three-year-old Max* was allegedly sexually abused by a four-year-old student while at the kindergarten, which Newshub has chosen not to name.

"My poor boy was violated in an environment where our children should feel safe and looked after," she said.

"Not that it's the teachers' fault, but if they kept a better eye on them they might not have had the chance to go into that bush."

MVC opened an investigation on Monday and Sarah said the kindergarten said it would be in touch within a few days. Almost a week later, she contacted MVC herself and was told the investigation has been closed.

"I was outraged! I think none of the kids were thought about at all," she said.

"Their safety, their feelings, their mentality, I felt were brushed aside because they obviously feel that us, as the parents, would be okay to deal with it however we choose to."

Max has changed to another kindergarten, and is also getting counselling. The other boy is still at the school and Max's family were told he would be "supervised" by teachers.

"I don't think that's fair on him in my opinion, but it's the only option they have so he can still attend kindy," Sarah said, adding that she hopes he's been offered professional help too.

"This would have affected them just as much as my bub."

Max's grandfather, John*, told Newshub it's "pretty shit" how it's all been handled. When it comes to the investigation, he said everything was shut down within days and there was no result.

"I was gutted... To me, it's not finished. Something needs to be done," he said.

"[MVC] should've been doing something about it, and getting help for that other child. To me it seems like they're brushing it under the carpet and aren't going to do anything about it.

"If [the family] aren't going to give consent [for counselling], then that child needs to be taken out of the kindy for the safety of the other children."

Chris McKenna, MVC's lower South Island regional manager, said the Ministry "quickly" followed up on the kindergarten's report and social workers spoke to both sets of parents.

"We have informed the parents that further Ministry involvement is not required at this time, and have referred them to experts who can answer any questions about the boys' behaviour," he said.

"We have contacted [Sarah] again about the local agency available that specialises in advice and support for parents to manage this sort of behaviour."

The kindergarten's PTA has reportedly held an urgent meeting regarding the matter and is conducting an internal investigation, after the family raised concerns publicly.

John is concerned about what would have led the older boy to act in that manner.

"What gets me is that no one is getting this other child any counselling or anything, which is what he needs. Because obviously he's seen something that he shouldn't have," John said.

Newshub.