KEY POINTS:
Here are earlier comments:
Tom
Why don't you conduct a survey to find out which social group gets more affected about child abuse. I hope you have the resources and the will to produce serious credible results.I got a sad suspicion that Maori will get a good chunk. It is true that this issue is not 100 per cent Maori, there are pakeha kids abused too but if Maori people look at the numbers they will not have the chance to deny it. And hopefully they'll start taking some responsibility.
Disgusted
Well looks like the anti smacking bill was a waste of space because people who abuse children really don't care about whether things are legal or not. The punishment for this kind of crime should be humiliating and costly to the perpetrator; and society needs to shun these people.
Scouser
Make the punishment fit the crime.Much Harder punishment.
Larry
What the hell is going on in this country? I am an immigrant and one of the things I always say to my friends and family in my home country is that NZ is the best place to raise a child, where a child can walk on the streets and you don't have to worry about him getting abducted, raped, or killed. I guess I'm still sort of right because the abuses, tortures and killings of children are not happening in the streets...it's in our own homes! One child abused is one child too many. Send a message to these heartless bastards by giving them what they deserve...send them to jail for life! Kiwis...you and your laws are just too soft...just too soft!
Andrew
The best way to improve our child abuse statistics is to isolate the Maori and Polynesian communities so as to call them a "different country". Then, statistically, we would come out as peaceful and decent as the nordic countries.
South Auckland Girl (Papakura)
I would like to see people working for the dole. That way, there can be some contact with our communities, and support systems. If people are unable to work for the dole, reasons such as drug addiction, and alcoholism, become evident. If there are children involved in these cases, the danger of abuse must be through the roof. After all, the abuse starts with themselves and then spreads to children/others/animals around them. If we can connect with and encourage the less fortunate families, we can help them to improve their options. We need to start getting involved and expecting something in return for financial help.
LV
At a time when Maori need leaders more than ever what are Maori leaders doing?
Nothing other than passing the buck and blame the white fella for all the problems.Well hiding your head in the sand has never solved a problem.Maori leaders first need to admit that Maori have a problem with the murder and abuse of their youngest and most vulnerable family members .Its a fact and the statistics are disturbing and disgusting .By having Maori leaders like Dr Sharples coming out with statements almost condoning what these animals in Rotorua did doesn't help or solve any problems.Be a man Dr Sharples and stop being so gutless help your people. We heard after the Kahui murders Maori leaders come out and make the right noises but after a few weeks they went silent and we didn't hear from them again on this issue. What Maori need now is strong leadership not having leaders who are gutless and weak like they have now.
Aunty (Auckland)
I think the P.C views should be chucked out the window. As a society we need to face that some cultures and sections of our society do not respect their babies and children and don't know how to treat their babies with nurturing love. How is it that the people who are supposed to love and protect them are the ones who gravely hurt them? Its sad that we think that NZ is a safe place to live, obviously for some of our children it is not. Public outrage is needed!
Appalled observer
I believe that it is time for everyone to step up to the mark in preventing child abuse in New Zealand. What saddens me the most is the amount of people who are willing to give an interview regarding the abuse they witness but too gutless to ring the police or CYPS while it is happening. Also all grandparents, aunties, uncles and extended whanau members out there - get involved and stay involved with the tamariki in your whanau. The amount of fathers who are no longer involved in their children's lives is appalling, who do they think will be raising their children when they have left? Nia's grandparents are an example of family members who should have stayed involved in the lives of their mokopuna's no matter how hard it is. Give your tamariki a safe haven, somewhere they can come for support and safety, let authorities know what is going on if you are concerned - dont bury your heads these tamariki are the future of all New Zealanders and they deserve the best from all of us.
concerned NZer
I do not believe this is a national problem. It is a Maori problem. And until the Maori leaders face up to this and deal with it no anti- smacking laws are going to save these kids. A problem must be faced to be able to be fixed.
Pepe
When will Maori leaders take responsibility and front up this situation?
maffster (Auckland)
Such abuse as has happened in Rotorua is incomprehensible both in the fact that people can do this to children, and that no one was prepared to take action over what was happening. "It's not my responsbility to do something" seems to be the nationwide catch cry. It is our responsibility, and many parents seem to be unaware of the fact that to have children is a privilege, and that responsibility to raise our kids in caring and supportive environments goes with it. Parenting with Confidence is one organisation which is seeking to give parents the skill sets needed to responsibly bring up kids.
Fundamentally it seems that unless address family dysfunction, along with the drug and alcohol subculture that seems rampant in this country we will continue to hear about such situations.
Marguerite (Tauranga)
If we look at the statistics of child abuse we'll find that 99 per cent, if not 100 per cent, of cases involve children where those bringing them up are unmarried or are step-parenting and at least one is not the biological parent. Surely we must address these issues. The most secure place for a child is with both biological parents who are in a happy marriage. We are seeing the fruits of the drop in morality. Let's raise our standards and bring back the joy of a real childhood.
Warren (Hamilton)
I know what we can do stop this!Lets ban smacking, after all we need to tighten up legislation so these kind of scum are held accountable.oh. wait. what? its been passed already?Then why has it not been used yet? the abuse of children hasn't been reduced - but the reduce of discipline has.My heart goes out to these kids.All I can wonder is if maybe we can create an exception to the rule and use the 'eye for an eye' mentality. Because I'm guessing these people don't know what it's like to be spun in a tumble drier. So lets show them.Don't underestimate the power of lynch mobs people - if the liars who run our country cant clean it up lets clean it up ourselves.
Mel
Children are a privilege not a 'right'. Whilst, I agree it isn't the whole answer, sterilisation of these people would be a start, so they cannot continue to do this to more innocent children. Also, the law should be tougher with harsher penalties, the current justice system is a joke.
JT
All areas of society need to involved and crucially they need to be co-ordinated. This means police, social services, winz and a new parenting centre. Any cases of child abuse, or suspected abuse, need to be logged into a centralised database so all the above agencies have access to the information. Any parents convicted will be imp rosined to the parenting centre and taught life skills on how to cope with babies and toddlers. Raising children is demanding and possible the most difficult thing adults attempt in their life's - lets admit this and have the necessary structure and funding to address this problem. The investment will certainly pay off as it has been proved many times abused children are significantly more likely to abuse their children. If the parents abuse their kids after attending the parenting centre their children are removed, place in care and they are imprisoned for a lengthy period. Prison sentences need to be increased to match rape and murder. This is clearly communicated to them at the parenting centre when they leave.
France
Scandal , Shame . These people have taken the rights and lives of our most vulnerable. Publish ALL the pictures of the murderers and torturers in the Herald , names included . Unfortunately you will find that some names and surnames appear twice . Let the world know who they are and those around them who stood by and did nothing. Where are all the serious journalists> You don't need legislation for that .
Cathy Watson
It's time to stop talking and take a hard line with child abuse in this country. There's been alot of noise coming from the Sensible Sentencing Trust about the need to lock up violent offenders and throw away the key - but where does the violemce start? In the family, directed at the children - and what do they turn into? Violent offenders. The destructive consequences of abuse are immeasurable. Throw the book at the abusers. Lock them up, take their children and sterilise them. As abusers are culled out - the prison population will drop. Why are child abusers protected by light sentencing? Plus, government departments - tasked with caring for families and communities, are so overloaded and underfunded that they can't do their work properly, also unwittingly protecting the abusers. The community also contributes to child abuse by doing nothing but talk about it. Talk is cheap - and utterly useless.
JR
The Maori Party continues to bury its head in the sand and deny Maori have a problem, despite the fact that 60 per cent of abuse cases come from Maori families - and Maori represent a mere 15 per cent of New Zealand. Using the hard done by card is absolute rubbish. An ethnic group that is worse off, namely Pacific Islanders, care for their children probably better than anyone else in NZ - and that includes Pakeha parents. The only way to stop this horrendous history of bashing children is to first concede there is a problem - but then some Maori party MP's openly talk of bashing those they disagree with as the right and proper way to resolve arguments. While these sick individuals hold positions of power within Maoridom, child abuse cases like this will continue unabated.
Rohit
I think this type of crime is so inhuman and one would wonder why it should be tolerated.
All these people should be sentenced to Community Services and the Councils should take advantage and get them to do some sort of service without any pay. Locking them up will only give them a better lifestyle, but when the back breaks doing some work and the torture of not getting any money in return could teach them a lesson to be more responsible.
Alan Wilkinson
Is it really escalating? There's no chance of fixing it if we base policy on moral panics instead of objective research. But that's what public and politicians love to do, so I expect that's what will happen and in a couple of generations the problem will be worse rather than better.
Trudy Sharplin
I suggest printing the nationality of the race that is predominantly inflicting this harm on there children. Maybe this will show the bigger picture. Maybe it will prompt those elders of that race to step in to help etc those families that can't control themselves.
Stephen (Ellerslie)
I take issue at the child abuse issue being labelled a "national" issue. Given the dozens of disgusting episodes of child abuse within Maori families that have been brought to our attention during recent years, it is clear to me that this is a Maori cultural issue and that it is incumbent on Maori to do something about it now. Maori need to understand that child abuse is not only unacceptable in NZ society, but that it should also be unacceptable in Maori society. While I don't wish to tar all Maori families with the same brush, as many are loving, caring and supportive families, there is clearly an increasing and disturbing Maori child abuse trend emerging in NZ. This now requires Maori to address the problem within their own culture and soon. This is now about Maori finally owning the issue and dealing with it, without blaming the rest of society and past perceived injustices for the current predicament. Until this happens, I believe that the child abuse issue within Maori society will only worsen.
Dave
Kelly te Heuheu should immediately be promoted to the leader of the Maori Party. She admits the problem and actually wants to do something about it. She's right, where is the march for children's right to live free of violence? Contrast her comments with Pita Sharples, every time he comments on any topic it proves there is no real leadership for Maori above 'woe is me, give us money'. The veil of silence will do nothing to bring his people forward. We need to confront issues as te Heuheu suggests and not just say 'its a lack of caring' then do nothing. Pita has been in power for ages, where is his action plan? Why does he keep getting voted in?
Chris B (Hamilton)
The level of child abuse in New Zealand is truly shocking and if the government does not take immediate and serious steps to intervene then it will only get worse.The biggest cause of child abuse is welfare dependancy. The government needs to follow the lead of the Howard government and move to ensure that any and all welfare payments are directly linked to their childrens well being. Those on the DPB should have to get their children regular check ups at the doctors so show that their kids are being well looked after. All beneficiaries should have to account for where their money is going and those who use it for alcohol or drugs need to have their benefits removed.
Kaycee
Fistly, why are so many children being left with extended family or people who aren't even family of the child! Secondly, what kind of monsters put a child in a tumble dryer, or beat a baby that's only a few weeks old? Is it because these kids are living in alcohol and drug fuelled environments that they have to take the brunt of their parents/family's addictions or is it a cycle of what their parents grew up with, therefore they hand down the same sick and twisted punishment to their kids? It is sad that New Zealand, a wonderful country which has more potential than any other is experiencing this type of issue, an issue which is common and expected in a third world country. I thought Sue Bradfords anti-smacking bill was supposed to help prevent things like this happening. I don't see any improvements.
Nicole (Auckland)
Unfortunately, sterilization and long prison sentences-on our already overcrowded prison populations- happen only after these vile abuses occur. Instead I believe it is up to us as a community to stop these acts in progression and report them to police. To many crimes go unnoticed and ignored by the offenders families and neighbours- Witika, Kahui etc.We need to stop this now for the sake of Darcelia, the Kahui twins, Nia and the like!
Adrienne
Sterilisation or a public stoning is in order for these kinds of monsters. Picking on somebody fullstop is bad enough but to do it to somebody who is completely unable to defend themselves is pure evil. I don't know why the taxpayer should have to pay to keep these people breathing and if we have to, then sterilise the pathetic excuses for human beings.Why is it that law abiding citizens have 1 - 2 children but the 'monsters' of society have up to 6 children which the state ends up paying for anyway! The NZ justice system needs to be more ruthless instead of putting criminals in cotton wool constantly.
Peter W
Maybe our social policies should be revised so that these types of people are discouraged from breeding instead of the other way around. Not PC I know but what are you going to do, bash me?
Lady B
Isn't it a case of abused children growing up and abusing children? If parents never received respect as children, then they probably won't be able to give any to their own offspring. In my opinion a smack is not the worst thing that can happen to a child, receiving no respect or love, being ignored or mentally abused has far worse consequences. Why not set up a system similar to Neighbourhood Watch where neighbours keep an eye out for the children around them and offer support in cases where parents are overtaxed. If the situation becomes precarious for the child, they could then contact the authorities.
DC (Wellington)
How easy it is for white, middle-class people to blame Maori for this problem. Yes, maybe figures show certain ethnic groups misrepresented in abuse figures but those same groups are misrepresented in poverty statistics, and abuse often follows hardship. There is no question, the perpetrators should be dealt with harshly, but further victimising certain ethnic groups isn't going to help.
Chris (Southland)
I am sickened by this and other cases of abuse, It is time we had a comprehensive campaign to make everyone aware of the expectations we as a community have towards the treatment of all children. Such a campaign should include a nation wide advertising campaign, letter box drop of information to all NZ households,containing information on what is abuse, what to do in an abusive situation, how you can intervene and who to report abuse to. Advertising on TV, Radio,Newspapers, magazinesand at sports grounds, pubs and clubs. I would rather spend money on this than the Americas cup racing! Pita Sharples and other Maori leaders want me to be part of the solution, I am a 44yr old white male in a stable marriage raising a son to respect others and have personal values. Does Pita Sharples believe that anyone in a low socio economic lifestyle who is angry/disturbed enough to abuse a child is going to listen to me?
Jane
I have had it with all this political correctness - wake up NZ and get real. We have an appalling issue with welfare and no accountability. Stop paying bad kids to have more bad kids. Link benefits to a contract of decent behaviour and regular checks & balances - if the contract is broken the benefit stops. Limit the number of children paid for to 2. If any child is in care(as 2 were in this case) remove the baby. These losers will never change - stop wasting my money on them and do something for the law abiding hard workers struggling to make ends meet who care about their kids and don't see them as a gravy train to torture. The sad fact is if a small defenceless kid is being sadistically abused the chances are that there is another child/family member who knows but is too scared to do anything in the event that abuse is directed at them (again) was this child sexually abused? - this pond life get away with this time after time. We need to get tough & take the head out of the sand - statistically the majority of abuse cases are Maori - stop bleating - work out a way to stop this. A non political independent body needs to change the welfare system before this country goes to the dogs .
Brendon
So Helen Clark condemns this child abuse? Excuse me for thinking these are empty words. She's had 8 years to do something definitive to address this problem that exists to some degree within all racial communities in this country, not just Maori (although Maori are heavily over-represented in these appalling statistics). Clark and her Government cannot see (or refuse to accept) that these problems stem directly from a range of policies they have either put in place or will not change, such as no-fault DPB, no necessity to name the father, no time or number of child limits on state support, and untested "sickness" benefits. National doesn't come out of this cleanly either, most of these policies, National talks tough on, but repeatedly fails to change. All these policies plus others in a range of areas such as justice and corrections serve simply to entrench New Zealand's appalling culture of violence and irresponsibility. No wonder so many good people of all races are leaving for Australia. That's where you'll find the most successful Maori too. More power to them.
Liam Bingham
I would be interested to hear how the anti smacking legislation will facilitate the end of cases like those discussed below. From what I have heard the majority of cases so far have bordered on ridiculous. To class a smack as child abuse is laughable. The people abusing children are not going to be the least bit concerned by the new legislation - or even aware of it's presence in many cases.The talk of post abuse sentencing will not help any of those already affected by abuse either (although I agree with the sentiment expressed). The only answer is to concentrate on prevention. Easier said than done though.
Jan
Enough is enough - it's time to stop wringing hands and do something to stop this abuse cycle. It's time to stop paying kids to have more kids - who then get neglected or seriously abused by incompetent parents, who frankly only had the children in the first place because the state gives them money for them plus a place to live. The kids never get to see the money - it goes on booze & drugs. People like this case in Rotorua already have 2 kids in care - so why the hell am I as a taxpayer paying for this scum to have a 3 year old toddler to torture. I have had a gutsful of PC rubbish of how it's not just Maori - no it isn't but get real & accept that statistically Maori are the highest in abuse.There needs to be a non politically motivated independent body to get in and get their hands dirty. I'm ashamed to be a New Zealander. These people need to start taking accountablity and we need to stop making it easy for them. Bad kids have bad kids who have more bad kids and then the poor old taxpayer has to pay for the kids to go to starship, then the prosecution, then prison. Then it starts all over again. I for one am sick of the PC nanny state.
John (Cairns)
Child abuse is an emotive issue but tackling it alone is pointless. A man who will beat his wife will beat his child. A mother too powerless to fight back will hurt who she can. A beaten child will see it as normal when it too has children. Child abuse is only part of the domestic violence picture, and until society is forced to change our most vulnerable will continue to suffer behind closed doors.
Jon (Auckland)
This has absolutely nothing to do with any piece of legislation.Forget about Sue Bradford (I don't give a toss about her, never did, never will) please let's focus on the real issue: Maori have to get their act together. There is a kid being bashed as we speak and hypocritical so called Maori leaders are blaming "the system" instead of their lack of action to deal with very deep issues within their communities.Educate them, force teenagers go to school and to work and earn the money to buy bread and milk. They get free money and they spend it on booze. But a grown up has to take them to the school and if that grown up happens to be drunk too then is when the "leaders" jump in and take action.
Pete
First of all, it is not a country's problem. Second of all, the problem is common with families in lower socio-economic areas. This suggests the problem is economically related. The behaviour of persons guilty of this behaviour may disclose factors such as intelligent, under the influence of sedative substances, addictions, and etc. A solution is educating parents and their children to rehabilitate from former methods of living such as dependency and following orders to understanding reality and responsibility. This type of social and economic rehabilitation is not in the classroom, but in a social and practical setting in the community. It is social coherence that has been destabilised by irresponsible social policy of the past. Period!Of course, this may not score any points for opportunists, so I guess the truth is not important.
P.Ware
I think New Zealands level of child abuse is appalling. Why is it that some people believe that punishing an innocent child to those extremes is to their benneft? There definitely needs to be greater criminal consequences to these people that abuse and torture there children. Life sentence for a murder should be the standard - how is a parent who tortures and abuses their child for months finally killing them only given a manslaughter conviction? Where is the justice for innocences in the great nation of ours?
Rob C
But wasn't Sue Bradford's anti-smacking legislation supposed to magically fix this problem? Yeah,right.
Disparing grandmother
I wonder how many other people like me thought when they first heard the news of yet another ghastly case of child abuse that the child in question would be Maori, and the perpetrators of this evil also Maori. The courts have got to start to take more responsibility in giving harsher sentences for those monsters who commit these heinous crimes against our young. The children in question, and their siblings should be removed from the immediate, and extended families too and placed in a safe place for the remainder of their young lives. The community must, and I stress this, must take responsibility and report even a hint of child abuse immediately to the police. Again I feel nothing but sickness, sadness and rage that there are those in our society who blame others for such barbarism. All Maori must stand up and be counted otherwise each generation of your children will lose all opportunities in life to grow well and stand tall.
Proud mum (Birkdale)
To hear what has happened to Nia has disgusted me. I have 2 young children myself and I don't know how people could do that, seriously what is going on in their head. These children are so helpless and defenceless. How could no one not do anything, I am not totally clear on what the neighbours did but if I ever saw a child (anyone infact) on the roof crying or on the clothesline being pushed around, I would act on it. It will be interesting to see what these animals get when charged, the laws need to be tougher on these sort of things. Imagine stuffing that idiot (stepdad) into the drying after a cold bath/shower. I hope they get what they deserve.There are people out there that can not have children and then these people do these disgusting things, how dare they. Its very saddening. Things like this in New Zealand make me realise we are great parents and I have 2 beautiful happy children to show for it. If anyone touched my children I would kill them.
Rongotea
I am a mother of 3 children,there ages are 9yrs,2yrs and 2 weeks old. My oldest has adhd and there is no way in hell I would harm her. Children are a blessing and people that hurt them make me so sick to the stomach.. Why cant the government get off there arses and put harsher penalties in place? I agree with the Maori leader: 30yrs in prison when found guilty of child abuse..also we need to retrain the community on how we treat or children.What I am seeing in the news lately is making me sick and I feel for the children. These people are mongrels and gutless bastards for hurting innocent children who cant defend for themselves!
Ashleigh
To the whole family - you are depraved animals. You have bought shame on your people. You do not belong in society and you definitely do not have any right to a fair trial - you lost that right the second you laid a finger on that child. She is 3 - end of story. No more facts required. She is a gorgeous little girl who deserved nothing but love and protection. You make me sick to my stomach. Accepting that there must be something wrong in the society to have this happen, means that these "people" (I use the term lightly) - do not have to accept responsibility for their actions. Yet again, someone can claim that the injustices of the world have resulted in this and hence, is not their fault. This is completely 100 per cent their fault. The Police should arrest anyone that stands in the way of the investigation (I refer back to last year's investigation into the Kahui twins). Then the courts should find all offenders guilty - with no leniency based on circumstances - these are our children. There is no leniency. Those that stood by and did not remove the child from harm's way - are just as guilty. And the length of sentence should be at least 20 years with np hope of parole.
Murray B
The issue is not racial. The underlying cause of most (but not all) child abuse is due to dysfunctional families. The current case is a classic example of this. Can anyone say that this is a good foundation for bringing up a child? Most (but not all) child abuse in New Zealand