KEY POINTS:
The Prime Minister has today voiced her concern over the grave issue of child abuse.
A second Rotorua child - a 12-week-old baby - is in the Starship with suspicious head injuries.
What can be done to solve the country's escalating child abuse problem? Here is a selection of Your Views:
Vail Hubner
Children are better off with their biological father than with a step father. Step fathers have a primeval instinct to murder step children. This is also found in the animal kingdom. A male lion will kill the cubs of a deceased male lion before mating with their mother. The law should demand that if a mother takes on a man, her children go back to the natural father automatically. This should stand until the police have vetted the potential step father for violence, drugs etc and given the all clear for the child to go back to the mother. Bioligical fathers can physically protect their own children from step mothers, relatives and friends, and have the natural instinct to do so. Biological mothers do have the instinct to protect their children, but they haven't the physical ability to do so against bigger violent men. How many times when we read about a child being murdered or abused, there's a biological father coming back from Australia or somewhere to try and fix up the mess?
Wayne, Ashburton
Once More Were Warriors - time to send in the army like in Oz
Jane
These people should not be allowed to see the light of day again...they should be kept within the main population of the prison and let the inmates give them their own form of justice. But are you surprised at this type of thing in NZ...well when those poor twins were murdered, the fact that the family were given time to have family meetings and seemed to be under no pressure from the police to hand over the accused is an indication of a backward society. The twins murder and the fact that the accused is on bail walking the streets is only giving other animals in our society the freedom to do what they want to poor innocent children, as they have no fear of reprisal, the justice system is a joke!! Guarantee the 4 in court will be given light sentences!
Kaz from Auckland concerned Kiwi.
These crimes are despicable, disgusting and although I used to be against the electric chair or lethal injection for punishment, feel that the culprits would get off lightly if put to death. These children cannot defend themselves, these children that rely on so called adults for love and protection.How as a society can we look the other way is beyond me. Someone must see this happening, some must hear the cries of pain, we are all guilty if we don't act. It is up to each one of us to question and look and listen.You can't tell me neighbours,the whanau (which does not seem to be functioning as it should!!)do not hear and see what is going on. The penalty they receive at the moment for these crimes does not deter others from following down this road and I am sick of hearing the excuse of "drugs" what a cop-out. Maybe we do need a license to have children, just like some people have their dogs removed because they are unable to provide for them.The same seems to apply to a minority of people who cannot provide for their children.I guess this is not a 'PC' thing to say but sure makes sense to me.
R (Auckland)
What can we do? We can make it an election issue. Most of us don't abuse our kids - but New Zealand is the 3rd worst developed country for killing our own children (behind Mexico and US) in a study I believe the Herald published some time ago.It's never an election issue - let's make it one. Write to your local political candidates and ask for their views on what needs to be done. If you agree with them - vote for them. If you don't tell them why you don't. They are our would-be leaders - let's ask for some leadership from them. Until we stand as one people on this we're all just whistling in the wind.
First Time Mum
How and why are people getting away with this disgusting behaviour? New Zealand is meant to be a safe country, yet how can we promote this when young children are being tortured and abused.People of all ages need to start taking responsibilty for their own actions, I am sick of people blaming drugs and alcohol for what they do. How anyone can even be sick enough in the head to put a tiny child in a tumble drier for 30 minutes or at all for that matter is beyond me. Take away the benefit, these people obviously have nothing better to do, so make them work for their money rather than taking the dol hand out as a given. My heart goes out to these small children who are completely defenseless, and also to people who try so hard to have children and would give any thing in the world to be able to do this. If you do not want children use contraception, in this country it is easy to get and affordable if not free.
you know it is true
It seems to me (by reading reports of child abuse) to be a predominantly Maori problem, if you teach Maori traditions like haka,war dancing, hip hop, etc..and brainwash the children with how hard done by Maori are etc.. They grow up to have a problem of violence and respect...It seems to be the Maori way! I believe it is a privilege to have children why not make people apply for the right to have kids..I will be on the panel! I am sure I could save the nation a fortune.
sickened
Those who are saying it's not 'just' a Maori problem should stop trying to defend themselves and look at the statistics which clearly show that the rate of Maori cases in child abuse is a staggering double that of any other race. Stop waffling and start doing something about it, before some other poor defenceless baby is shamelessly tortured. Who are these animals? They need to be locked up and the key thrown away. If you can't abide by the law, and you are that sick in the head, and if you are that stupid, you deserve to be.
Jimv
These people are animals. And like animals that behave this way, they should be put down.
Juston (Wellington)
Kia ora ano tatou,I am Maori and I have two beautiful children whom I love very much. I have never raised a hand to either child and never intend to, as I believe they are worth far too much and are too precious to be treated with anything less than care and affection. I know that I am not the only Maori who feels this way. I know this as I was raised in the same manner that I raise my children by my parents (both Maori), my grand parents (all Maori), my aunties and auncles (predominantly Maori, although there are a few Canadians, English and Australians in there), my cousins and my neighbours.I am disgusted that I have to defend myself and my family from bigoted New Zealanders. I don't believe that the issue of child abuse is a Maori issue. However I do believe that it is an issue for Maori as it is an issue for all New Zealanders. I believe child abuse is a product of poverty, desperation and family dysfunction. All of these are issues facing all New Zealanders regardless of race, culture or colour.I don't have any answers for how to stop the issue as I have never had to face it myself. I wish there was a simple solution.
JT_luatua (Washington)
Its pretty evident that most people are just not fit enough to be parents, or in the past and quite disturbing cases to date, unfit to have children of their own. I am a parent and at 18 I found it very frustrating to raise a child with no motherly advice(as she passed a year earlier) instead, my only child sustained my frustrations and anger. If it had not been for the Lord and of course more loving and experienced parents such as my god-fearing relatives, my baby girl would have suffered the same fate as these innocent little angels. the child did not ask to be here, it was the parents themselves and in finding out about a sudden pregnancy, I reckon all couples or parent to be should be evaluated, not to their discretion, but to ensure that these innocent children get to have what they deserve to have. I am proud to say that my lil girl is my everything. Today she is seven and as a student myself studying for a degree in social work, she will grow up to gain and have everything I might've taken away from her
Jag
This is a national tragedy! Ironic that the Government has recently cut the Child Youth and Family vote by $9m.
Andrew - in exile in Brisbane
The answer is likely something with the same strength of character as what John Howard has done recently for aboriginal communities. It would be immensely unpopular, so it will likely not be enacted. regular, compulsory health checks of all children would at least assist in picking up abuse before it got too far.
Carl
If there's irrefutable DNA evidence; bring back the death penalty for those who murder and brutally physically bash our babies and children. The perpetrators deserve nothing less; whatever the cause.
Sarah crawford
We need to boost Plunket's funding to employ more people to go to more homes, more often and for alot longer (until child is 5yrs)and allow them to make sometimes un-announced visits to homes where the nurses have some concerns. We also need to bring back home economics in high school, and have parenting and budget training (ie parents inc) for our young people. Also, as self employed people, we are subject to audits at any time, we must lay bare all spending. Why is it the benefitories do not have to front up with explanations for their own spending? American Ghetto sub-culture to be replaced with the proud Maori heritage of old. Sad, sad time for all New Zealanders.
Maria (Auckland)
Why are people so shocked? Abortion is murder and its legal in NZ and we have an anti-smacking bill!!!What a joke!! NZ needs to get morally aware and then this absurdity would stop!Let's stop all this 'PC' rubbish and say what we really mean and stand up for what is right and just!
Delenn
Lets stop with the blame game. Its time to start asking ourselves, what are we, the community, doing to stop it? What can we do and what support do we need? All too often people sit around and debate angrily and emotively but do nothing! Lets ask ourselves what changes we need to make in our communities and as individuals to help our children and lets do something to effect change, lets bring back community spirit. It starts with us, we are the protectors of our future generations so lets start guiding and protecting them! Is it really so hard?
concerned parent
These people should be executed. They cannot even be classified as animals because animals dont treat their babies like that. They are inhuman and should not be given space on this earth.
Willow
Although I have already expressed my concerns about the whole child abuse situation, and made reference to the smacking bill - I can't help but think that in some ways we're starting to get off the track. I don't care if its a Maori, Pacific islander, European or any other nationality who's committing these obscene acts, I care about the children, our babies - our future who are being abused, and its got to stop! As for an eye-for-an-eye, people aren't going to be castrated, or sterilised, doesn't matter how much we want it - we don't have the death penalty either so lets forget about all that, and use our power of voice, and our emotions to better use. We all agree that it should stop, instead of finger pointing lets think about. tougher penalities?.. More investigation with DBP?. I wish I had all the answers, all I can say is I'm committed to doing what I can to help, and if something can be done I'll be right behind it with my support.
Nikki
parents/guardians need to wake up and take responsibility for the life that they bought into this world and care for! Those that beat and abuse children are low life cowards that are so tough that they have to do this to precious little souls to feel powerful. People are too quick to blame the police and CYFS or low income for the abuse of our children. Stop shifting blame off those that are responsible - the parents/guardian. I am a parent and I do know how hard it is raising a child - especially on one income. But if you choose to have your child then love them everyday. Yes our son can be trying on some days but he is a pleasure that I wouldn't trade anything for. They are just children - take a deep breath in the tough times and be an adult for gawd sake! It is the child's right to be loved and cherished.
KiwiinOz
Child abuse in NZ has been ignored by too many for too long. A number of my ex partners were abused as children. Those that committed these terrible crimes still walk the streets today. It is time to speak up and more importantly it is time for the justice system to make a statement - 10 years imprisonment for child abuse, no parole. End of story
Kelly Hamilton
I have been so deeply saddened by this and every one of our high profile cases in the past few years. This is not a Maori problem, although I am more than happy to acknowledge that they are over-represented in these shocking statistics and appear to be the more likely perpetrators. The child abuse statistics are however a NZ problem and one which we all must take responsibility for. Perhaps if the government took the bold step of making it possible to charge someone with accessory to neglect of a child we would have more people reporting these horrific crimes sooner when something can be done and the children involved can be protected. Why is it the same old story that as soon as something serious happens to these children that neighbors, friends and family start espousing that they had concerns for a while and were witnesses to such abuse. Not only is it a crime for parents and family members to treat children in this manner it is also a crime for others to turn a blind eye. We all know that people who are abused go on to abused so our priority must be rapid intervention to stop the cycle. No more, our children are our future and they must be protected by all NZ'ers.
Al (Christchurch)
Personally I don't think that the murderers and child abusers of New Zealand stop to consider that it is illegal to "smack" the children in their care. I doubt greatly the anti-smacking law will make even the smallest difference.Compulsory courses in Basic Parenting might be a start for parents of first born children. Surely this would benefit families as a whole, regardless of race or financial status.Self Esteem courses for the mothers of these children who seem to end up with loser "partners" could also help. Although not exempt, it is not often a mum and dad commit these crimes, but rather significant others who influence mothers into,if not participating then certainly allowing these crimes against their own flesh and blood to continue.
Brandon
It is a well established fact that the likelihood of getting caught, not the consequence of being caught, is the key deterrent to criminal behaviour. When some parent flies off the handle and does something cruel to a child, they don't pause to consider what the penalty will be. The high offending rate proves that there are families and social/cultural circles in NZ where violence towards children is condoned, where no-one cares enough to stop it, or everybody is too scared to intervene. I think the perpetrators are themselves likely to be desensitised to violence, usually through their own experiences (added to by the increasingly cruel and sadistic portrayals of violence available at your local video store). The pockets of our society characterised by endemic welfare dependency, with related drug, alcohol and gang problems, seem worst affected, so surely that's where the problem needs to be tackled. Perhaps handouts could be conditional on some good parenting (no criminal or gang involvement, no alcohol or drug abuse by parents, involvement of children in school/church/sports/community groups etc)?
Ray Gilbert
John Howard stepped in and acted to stop abuse in Aboriginal communities. Typically he was howled down by the PC brigade as a racist but he did what he saw was necessary. Helen Clark needs to do the same here but of course she and her PC hangers-on would rather see children maimed and killed. This country is spiralling down into third world status, not only in child abuse but in health care, education, transport, you name it. Clark must go - and the sooner the better
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