Editorial: Harsher child abuse penalties welcome

Harsher penalties for child abuse and new rules about turning a blind eye to it should be welcomed with open arms.

New Zealand's child abuse rate is said to be one of the worst in the world.

Last month it was reported that about 15 per cent of children are born at risk of abuse, and that New Zealand Police have more than 6000 child abuse cases open.

These are damning statistics and it is only right that we continue to seek answers.

But tougher laws are a good first step.

In Rotorua, we have the sorry "honour" of having been the home of one of the most prominent poster children for domestic abuse.

Toddler Nia Glassie died on August 3, 2007, after an extended period of abuse.

Rotorua's not special. Every community suffers the plague of child abuse. But Nia's abuse and death seemed to shake the country more than most.

In 2008, Hone Kaa, head of the child advocacy group Te Kahui Mana Ririki, said New Zealand's child abuse rate was unacceptably high, and more children like Nia would die if people continued to turn a blind eye.

This month Rotorua people were encouraged to show their support for victims of child abuse by taking a soft toy to the Arawa War Memorial in Government Gardens. The national campaign was organised by Nark - Nation of Advocates for the Rights of Kids - which was started by Ngaruawahia's Cherie Kurarangi Sweeney. She had been branded a "nark" for speaking to the police after her 6-month-old neighbour died from child abuse.

It's clear from such behaviour that abusers may be the main problem, but attitudes of others contribute in a big way as well.

But what else would you expect from the type of people who would rather child abusers continue their actions rather than face the consequences.

The world needs more Cherie Kurarangi Sweeneys standing up for abused kids, and it shouldn't have to take legislation to force that.

But hopefully these new rules will soon make a difference.