The devil is always in the detail

They must count as some of the most recognised faces in the country. For all that their fame was earned not for anything they did but what happened to them.

The faces are those of James Whakaruru, Nia Glassie, Chris and Cru Kahui, "Lillybing" Hinewaoriki Rerenoa Karitiana-Matiaha, Coral Burrows and more. They are the poster children for our shameful record of child abuse. They are the innocent victims and among the most high profile cases seen in this country.

Wanganui names feature all too often among this hall of shame. Cherishsilia (Cherish) Sheliah Tahuri-Wright, Hinekawa Topia, Karl Check and Sahara Baker-Koro all died as a result of violence.

They are the extreme cases in a crisis of child abuse that this week saw the release of a White Paper on vulnerable children as a means to bring it to an end.

In one sense, I have to agree with Te Tai Hauauru MP and Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia. We see far too much of these tragic victims, whose photographs of smiling faces belie the pain and suffering they endured.

Mrs Turia suggests they should be allowed to rest in peace. Of course, but the point is they should never have died in the first place. They are a visual reminder of the cruelty we impose on our most innocent and vulnerable.

If it makes us uncomfortable to be confronted by these faces - good. This epidemic of abuse that has so many in its grip has taken far too many lives, and damaged countless others.

Surely the whole point is that we would be shocked by seeing these faces. How many faces don't we see? The youngsters living in fear, their fragile bodies subjected to regular beatings and cries that the community seems powerless to stop. We need to be reminded of the extreme cases, to have their images displayed so we are sickened, saddened and angered, but most of all motivated to enforce some sort of change.

It is refreshing to see some serious effort being made to end the horrific abuse of our youngest citizens. We should welcome the White Paper released this week. Any criticism appears to be surrounding the workload the measures will bring about, and also the lack of a direct strategy to combat poverty, cited as a major factor in abuse.

It will be interesting to see how the various agencies manage to implement the proposals. They are already under pressure so resourcing will be a very real issue.

Critical to this is what happens once the names are on a database. Who will follow through and actually do something? Words are all well and good, it's the action that will define our intent to treat this critical issue seriously.

As the saying goes, the devil is in the detail and as far as the White Paper goes, it's a good start but the real work begins now. What we do with these proposals is how we will be judged.

The proof will be in how many new faces are added to that shameful wall of dishonour. Send your feedback to: editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz