Editorial: Help halt violence in homes

Linda Hall.

Burglaries are rife in Hawke's Bay as they are all over the country.

I've read many stories where victims have complained about the lack of police attendance when their homes or cars have been robbed.

It is frustrating, however what's more frustrating is the number of domestic violence incidents police have to attend.

I imagine if the choice was to attend a burglary where the crime is done and no one is hurt, or a woman screaming down the phone that she or her children are being beaten, then violence is going to win.

Police can't be everywhere at once.

So how can we help? Easy. Remember Moko and all who have gone before him.

People were up in arms, marching in the streets all over New Zealand following his death at the hands of his so-called carers.

If we want our police to have time to attend more crime we need to help stamp out this growing trend.

It's not the people being beaten who need to be berated for staying where they are, it's the beaters who need to be pointed out, spoken to and shamed into either stopping being violent or, if they can't manage that on their own, then seeking help.

If you even suspect that someone you know is being violent, start asking questions. I'm pretty sure they won't be so tough when confronted by their peers and family.

Let's not forget Moko and Chris and Cru Kahui and Nia Glassie - I could go on. That's not to mention all the women and children who get hit and bullied every day of their lives - in Hawke's Bay.