Media Release
Text of the Lament for the Children of Aotearoa
Read at the Ecumenical (Inter-church) Prayer Vigil in Wellington today
by Rev Dr Margaret Mayman
St Andrew’s on The Terrace, Presbyterian Church

LAMENT FOR THE CHILDREN OF AOTEAROA

Ill-treatment is a reality for many children in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our rate of deaths from ill-treatment is high in comparison to other industrialised countries. Eleven children under fifteen are killed each year in New Zealand by the people who have them in their care. Four of these children are under one year old. 85 percent of adults responsible for child homicide in New Zealand are members of the child's family household. As Christians, charged with the care of the vulnerable, we lament this reality.

Physical punishment is a demonstrated risk factor in child abuse. Child abuse deaths usually begin with physical punishment which escalates in a context of frustration with the child, anger, and a belief that physical force can stop unwanted behaviour. To prevent such deaths and reduce the use of violence against children, we must reach a point where parents do not rely on physical punishment as the preferred means of guiding a child’s behaviour.

The prevalence of ill-treatment must also be measured in ways other than death rates. Just over 20 children a day are assessed as abused or neglected by the statutory child protection agency. The children who are not killed or disabled by ill-treatment carry no outward sign of their abuse into adulthood,
but many are impaired in the enjoyment of life and ability to cope and suffer harmful long-term physical and psychological health effects.

The staggering differences. between developed countries in child deaths from maltreatment, depend not on differences in service levels, but on differences in attitude towards children. Attitudes change slowly. An important aspect of prevention is challenging and changing those societal attitudes that underpin a tolerance of violence towards children.

While it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by reports of child abuse and neglect, every New Zealander can be part of the solution by actively pursuing positive parenting models, supporting parents in their community, and being prepared to speak up for children who are, or may be, abused or neglected. As Christians charged with care of the vulnerable, this is our prayer.

ENDS

www.standrews.org.nz

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