Stand taken against child abuse

The March for Moko makes its way towards the Dunedin District Court in High St yesterday. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
The March for Moko makes its way towards the Dunedin District Court in High St yesterday. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
Hundreds marched at events in the South yesterday seeking an end to the use of plea bargaining and an end to violence against children on the day the killers of 3-year-old Moko Sayviah Rangitoheriri were jailed for 17 years.

Justice for Moko marches were held in Dunedin, Oamaru, Alexandra, Invercargill and Gore. People carried placards and voiced their support for harsher sentences and an end to child abuse.

Tania Shailer (26) and David William Haerewa (43) each received a sentence of 17 years' jail, with a minimum non-parole period of nine years, when they appeared in the High Court at Rotorua yesterday.

Justice for Moko Dunedin march co-ordinator and Sensible Sentencing Trust representative Amy Telfer Chiles said the sentence was "disappointing'' and reform was needed.

"I don't think it's long enough,'' she said.

"Compared to what they could have got for murder ... their non-parole period would have been at least 17 years.''

Moko was a defenceless child who was abused over a long period by the people he relied on for his survival, she said.

"I believe now is the time for change. Murder is not manslaughter.''

Shailer and Haerewa had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter and ill-treating a child in Taupo in July and August last year. They were originally charged with murder but the charge was downgraded in exchange for pleading guilty.

Ms Telfer Chiles led the Justice for Moko march from the Octagon to the Dunedin District Court yesterday, followed by about 150 others.

Moko's great-aunt, co-organiser Morgan Grant, said she wanted Shailer and Haewera to be "made an example of'' but that was not going to happen with a manslaughter charge.

She felt despite the downgrading of the charge, the Government was not to blame and people needed to look at themselves "for our issues'' regarding child abuse.

Haylie Anderson made the 40-minute journey from Balclutha to participate in the march.

"I just think they shouldn't be getting manslaughter for this,'' Ms Anderson said.

"It's disgusting.''

The march began with a haka from the Otago Boys' and Otago Girls' High Schools' kapa haka group, Wairua Puhou, about 9.30am.

The procession flowed up Princes St from the Octagon before stopping at the court in High St where a moment's silence was held for Moko and the 200 other children killed by abuse over the past 25 years.

More than 60 people gathered outside the Alexandra Court House in support.

Co-organiser Jenny Cosgriff said more people needed to stand up to show the Government plea bargain laws were unjust.

"Until we have that we're not going to get any more funding for our social services.

"I've just always been really affected by every child abuse case that I've seen in the news. I've always wanting to do something.''

In Oamaru and Gore about 150 people marched, while outside the Invercargill courthouse about 100 people were present.

The marches were part of 34 planned protests around the country.

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement