May 23, 2016
Community spirit a counter to violence
Labour MP Kelvin Davis says the weekend marches against violence show the need to regain a sense of community when tackling the problem.
Last year Mr Davis led a hikoi through his Taitokerau electorate to raise awareness of sexual violence and point people towards solutions.
Yesterday there were marches in five centres to express public outrage at the killing of 3-year-old Moko Rangitoheriri by a pair who had been asked to care for him.
Mr Davis says that concern also needs to be shown by people speaking up and stepping in when they see something they think is wrong.
"If we see or suspect something is happening we need to have the courage to address that, report any stuff to CYFS or police. I would rather a false alarm than a dozen kids getting hidings and beatings like poor Moko suffered," he says.
Kelvin Davis says people need to stop accepting violence in its lowest forms, because over time verbal violence and bullying can escalate into more serious behaviours.
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