Arrest follows boiling water being thrown over boy

A man is under arrest following a family violence incident in Te Kuiti this morning that left a young child scalded by boiling water.

Te Kuiti Sub-Area Manager, Senior Sergeant Rob Van Kalken, said emergency services were called to a property in the west of the town about 5.55am.

"Initial reports described a four-year-old boy having had boiling water thrown over him as a result of a domestic dispute between his grandparents.

"A 57-year-old man at the property, the boy's grandfather, was arrested in relation to this matter and charged with male assaults female, injuring a child and breach of a protection order while the boy was taken to Te Kuiti Hospital to be treated for a scalding injury to his buttocks."

Mr Van Kalken said the man told officers he had been arguing with his wife and threw the water at her to cool her down, stating he didn't know the water in the jug had been boiled.

"Given the nature of what has happened we are thankful the boy didn't suffer more serious injury but given about 10 children are killed every year in family violence situations today's incident highlights the risks and why such behaviour is not OK.

"People finding themselves in conflict at home need to seek help, if you are a woman in a vulnerable position contact Women's Refuge, if you are a child seek help from someone you trust such as a teacher or relative and we ask those people to contact either us or the Child Youth and Family Service."

Mr Van Kalken said it was important that people who saw domestic or family violence taking place didn't turn away but stood up to be counted.

"In situations such as this we are talking about our most vulnerable members of the community who need people to speak out on their behalf, the bottom line is if you see something wrong, tell someone about it."

Women's Refuge Contact Numbers Crisisline: 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 Waitomo Women's' Refuge; (07) 878 5081 or (0800) 155 799 Taumarunui Women's Refuge (07) 895 7869 Te Awamutu Women's Refuge (07) 871 8152 Hamilton Women's Refuge (07) 855 1569 (24hrs)

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