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2020

Weekly Media Roundup

November 23, 2018 at 12:00 PM

Kyle MacDonald: As New Zealanders, why do we hate children so much?

COMMENT:

People complaining on social media, talkback - or via opinion pieces - about children running amok in cafes, or crying on planes, is one of those topics that keeps sporadically rearing its ugly head.

It popped up again recently and it made me wonder why, as a country, do we hate children so much?

Hate might seem like a strong word, but the thing about the "child-free spaces" argument is if you replace "child" with any other group (Maori, women or people with a disability for example) you can start to see the problem.

Inquiry’s failings will turn into Royal Omission

Aaron Smale’s coverage of state abuse led to a Royal Commission of Inquiry. But he believes the Commission’s terms of reference will make it another chapter in a 20-year cover-up.

Royal Commission inquiry ‘a lost opportunity’ for some

Scouts New Zealand and other groups say they are disappointed that victims of abuse in their communities won't be heard by the Royal Commission into Historical Abuse.

They said the newly released terms of reference drew a number of arbitrary lines that excluded people in sports groups, as well as young people jailed in adult prisons.

The government announced this week that the Royal Commission would be the biggest inquiry ever undertaken in New Zealand, but in a statement from the commission, the members said they needed to consult lawyers on just who is included.

Scouts New Zealand chief executive Joshua Tabor said he was disappointed his organisation missed out.

Hearing the stories of abuse victims

OPINION: In February the Government announced a royal commission of inquiry into historical abuse and neglect of individuals in state care. Last week the inquiry was extended to cover abuse and neglect in faith-based institutions.

During consultation on the terms of reference, the commission received over 400 submissions. Many sought the addition of faith-based institutions to the inquiry. The Government has listened to the people and is to be commended.

Former governor-general Sir Anand Satyanand is chairman of the inquiry and says it will be the biggest royal commission ever undertaken in New Zealand.

The inquiry will go beyond Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the United Kingdom's Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The New Zealand commission is not limited to sexual abuse but includes emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. In this sense it is unique.

Govt trying to make court trials fairer for sexual assault victims

The Government wants to make court trials less traumatising for victims of sexual assault.

Justice Minister Andrew Little is concerned victims are being re-traumatised during aggressive cross-examinations.

Speaking with Mike Hosking, Little said one of the measures they are considering would be asking judges to exercise more control over antagonistic defence lawyers.

If I see you holding a gun on Tinder, I’m swiping left

Holding up a fish in your Tinder profile is one thing, but what about firearms? Hannah Reid finds concerning meaning behind the dating profile trend.

What’s the point in a women’s ride-sharing app? Any woman can tell you

Over 24 hours, The Spinoff received more than 100 stories from New Zealand women who have been made to feel unsafe in a taxi or Uber. This article contains description of sexual assault and harassment, please take care.

Uber spells out sexual misconduct to drivers and passengers

A new Uber campaign against sexual assault and family violence doesn't hold back when it comes to describing inappropriate behaviour.

Uber New Zealand country manager Amanda Gilmore said the app-based taxi company decided it would be helpful to provide specific examples to its 6500 drivers and 450,000 passengers "because sometimes people don't understand what's appropriate and what's not".

The Driving Change initiative rolled out on Wednesday on the Uber website is explicit about what's not OK.

Teen activist and philanthropist fought against sexual violence

A young woman who spent her short life fighting against sexual violence has died from cancer, aged 19.

Eva McGauley passed away surrounded by loved ones on Sunday morning, according to a "heartbroken" post on her Instagram page.

She had done extensive work with Wellington Rape Crisis and Wellington Sexual Abuse HELP, as well as setting up her own organisation, Eva's Wish.

'My wife married a basket case': Kiwi man's journey from hurt child to abuser to anti-violence activist

Married and running a successful business by his early 20s, Blair McKenzie seemed to have life sorted.

What people didn't see bubbling under the surface was the destructive anger ruining his life.

Growing up in a family with a "generational curse" of domestic violence, McKenzie knows what is like to be on the giving and receiving end of abuse.

Nowadays, 20 years after turning his life around, McKenzie uses his personal experiences to spread the message against domestic violence.

Nelson actors lend voices to anti-child abuse message

Young Nelson actors have given a Kiwi makeover to an international animated video outlining the devastating impacts of child abuse.

Actors from the Nelson Youth Theatre, including 12-year-old Vaughn Birss of Stoke, voiced the video as part of a Safeguarding Children Initiative project for World Children's Day on November 20.

Vaughn said recording the voiceover for the main character in the video, a boy traumatised by the effects of domestic violence in his home, was a test of his acting skills.

"I learned that we all have a responsibility to look out for people around us, and that we should speak out if we feel something is not right," he said.

World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse

Press Release: Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers

It is World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse. The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) today thank colleagues and members who are active in protecting the nation’s children / tamariki.

Few are better placed than social workers to recognise the importance of abuse prevention, not only to ensure that children / tamariki are protected in the here and now but also in order to improve their long-term wellbeing.

50 bars in campaign aiming to reduce sexual violence

Press Release – Wellington City Council
The Wellington City Council is welcoming and supporting a consent campaign which is launching ahead of the festive season.

The Council has teamed up with the Hospitality New Zealand Wellington branch and Police to help prevent sexual assault in Wellington.

More than 50 Wellington hospitality businesses have signed up to the Don’t Guess The Yes campaign, sending out a clear message that sexual assault isn’t tolerated in the capital.

Investigating the impact of alcohol’s harm on children

Press Release: Health Research Council

Dr Taisia Huckle from Massey University’s SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre has been awarded a Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship from the Health Research Council of New Zealand.

The $500,000 grant will fund Dr Huckle’s latest research project, entitled Alcohol’s harm to others: impacts on children of problem/heavy drinkers, and will be carried out over the next four years.

“New Zealand has one of the highest rates of child maltreatment and neglect in the developed world and heavy alcohol use by caregivers is likely a contributing factor. This type of harm to children from alcohol remains largely invisible or neglected,” Dr Huckle says.

Woman charged with neglect after baby rescued from car

A woman has been charged with neglect after a two-month-old was rescued from a hot car in a Hamilton car park.

The 23-year-old was charged with neglect on Wednesday, a statement from Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Nicola Cornes said.

Trio charged with drugging and sexual assault relating to a Christchurch bar

Three men have been arrested as part of a major investigation into allegations of drugging and sexual assault relating to a popular Christchurch bar.

Police have been looking into about 20 complaints from women who allege their drinks were spiked at Mama Hooch on Colombo St in the city centre.

Some of the women say they were sexually assaulted.