KEY POINTS:
Smack-free marae, anti-violence resources written in Maori language, an
educational radio programme and research into the effects of violence
are amongst some of the plans to prevent Maori child-abuse.
Statistics show that Maori children die from non-accidental injuries at
twice the rate of other New Zealand kids. In the five years to 2005, 17 Maori children under the age of 15 died after being assaulted.
Last year a Maori child-abuse summit, involving about 120 Maori who work
in the field, was held in Auckland to begin developing a plan of action.
As a result Te Kahui Mana Ririki was formed and is now trying to make a
difference with a number of prevention and educational projects.
One of its big pushes is taking the anti-smacking message to Maori following last year's law change.
Te Kahui Mana Ririki director Anton Blank said that started last week with visits to iwi groups in Rangitikei and Hastings.
"We are talking to Maori about the alternatives to smacking ... and giving Maori families the skills that they need to parent without hitting."
Part of that message is being delivered in stickers that were designed
specifically for the marae. They bear logos saying "Smack-free Marae" in
Maori.
Mr Blank said the organisation was also working to develop anti-
smacking resources that are specially developed for Maori families.
"Apart from really high child-abuse rates, what's happening is that Maori children are also being exposed to a lot more family violence than other groups. So we need to take account of that as well.
"Often we are dealing with adults who have their own anger management
issues, so the first step is to say to parents 'OK, you need to control yourself' and secondly 'once you have calmed down and cooled off, learn how to guide your children without hitting them'."
He said the anti-smacking message received mixed results last week.
"Some people still believe it's right to smack but I think it's becoming a more and more dated view."
Other plans the organisation has for next year to fight Maori child
abuse include:
- Conducting research on teenagers who have survived abuse and how it's
impacted on their lives.
- A parenting series that will run on Maori radio from February which talks about the anti-smacking message and alternatives to violence.
- Mr Blank said he'd also like to see television advertising and uses the
example of anti-smoking campaign which resulted in a drop in Maori smoking rates.
