Tauranga to take stand against child abuse

Tauranga is joining the nationwide march against child abuse this weekend.

'March for Moko' will be held in Papamoa on Sunday afternoon, with all those wanting to stand against child abuse invited to attend.

The 'I will march for Moko' campaign was started by a group of like-minded mothers around New Zealand, sparked by the violence which killed 3-year-old Moko Rangitoheriri.

Facebook events have been started up in different regions, and for Tauranga the organisers have asked residents to come support a great cause.

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People were invited to meet outside Parton Rd Community Kindy at 2pm for the march.

"Tell your friends and whanau to come help show our love and support around this terrible issue affecting our children," the event page said.

The march was not only for Moko but for all children subjected to child abuse.

Any gold coin donations were to be donated to Shine, a domestic abuse charity which runs a domestic abuse helpline to help keep people safe from domestic abuse and family violence.

Facts about child abuse
* New Zealand has the fifth-worst child abuse record out of 31 OECD countries.
* On average one child is killed every five weeks.
* Most of these children are under five and the largest group is less than a year old.
* Ninety per cent of all child deaths are perpetrated by someone the child knew.
* Nearly 9000 children per year are born "at risk" (1 in every 30).
* Child abuse costs New Zealand about $2 billion each year.
* Studies have found abused and neglected children to be at least 25 per cent more likely to experience problems such as delinquency, teen pregnancy, low academic achievement, drug use and mental health problems.
- source: Child Matters