Police in Christchurch say there's been a big increase in child abuse cases being reported since the earthquakes.
Extra personnel have been brought in to cope with what is now an average of about 15 new cases each week.
Detective Senior Sergeant Corrie Parnell says there have been more physical, rather than sexual, assaults against children. Some had to be admitted to hospital.
He says the number of reported cases is up by about a fifth.
Detective Senior Sergeant Parnell says things have hit breaking point for many stressed families.
