MEDIACOM-RELEASE-NAT-NET-STOPPING-VIOLEN

WHAKARURU REPORT ENDORSED

Stopping Violence Services totally endorse the report into the killing of James Whakaruru.

We are concerned at the references to `Anger Management' programmes, and the fact that the killer attended a programme that was not approved for working with Domestic Violence.

`This killing was not a lapse of self control, or an inability to control anger' says Paul Prestidge, the Executive Officer. `It is a case of systematic violence and brutality. More children and women will be killed unless we regard violence within families with as much outrage as we have for home invasions'.

Stopping Violence Services appeals to everyone in the community to take responsibility to save these children's lives. `While the report concentrates on where Government agencies failed to protect this child, we would be disappointed if this became just another opportunity to criticise the Government, with them all responding that they have now addressed the deficiencies named' said Mr Prestidge.

We support the recommendations of the report, and urge the Government to ensure that they are implemented, with a public review within a year. `We want to part of a community where saving children is more important than saving money. Sadly this was not the case for this family' concludes Paul Prestidge.

ENDS

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE NATIONAL NETWORK OF STOPPING VIOLENCE

SERVICES (NZ) INC,

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