Editorial: Justice for hurt, young innocents imperative

Photo/Thinkstock.

Some stories leave you in a state of angry disbelief, and the news this week of a young boy suffering permanent brain damage was one of them.

Not only were his injuries non-accidental, but police believe the little boy was left for three days before his parents sought medical treatment for him.

Tauranga detectives have had "good co-operation" from the boy's extended family, but he deserves so much more. The person or people responsible need to own up and face the consequences of hurting an innocent child.

The emotional and psychological scars of child abuse may take years to heal - if they ever do completely - but harming someone to the point where they require care for the rest of their life is unforgivable.

Whoever is responsible, however remorseful, should face a lengthy prison sentence - not half as strong a punishment as the life sentence they have handed down to the little boy. They also need the help and support to ensure this little boy is their last victim.

If they want to deny their involvement, to themselves and the community, I hope the severity of the boy's injuries, and the publishing of his parents' appearance in court, encourage someone who knows something to come forward.

While the size and lifestyle of Tauranga make it a great place to bring up children, there are hundreds who barely notice the beach, warm weather or beautiful parks and bush walks. They are too busy dodging danger and missing out on the love and respect they deserve.

The recently held "Buddy Day" was a grim reminder that last year in Tauranga there were 813 substantiated cases of child abuse.

City leaders, MPs and members of the community carried child-sized cardboard cut-outs with them for the day, aimed at starting conversations around child abuse.

The 162 buddies represented just a fifth of the total number of local kids suffering at the hands of adults.

Like drink-driving or domestic violence, it's easy to get complacent about "hard-hitting" advertising campaigns about serious social issues. Sadly, it takes a real story - like this unnamed 3-year-old's one - to really bring New Zealand's appalling rate of child abuse home.

I hope this young boy gets all the love and support he needs to make as full a recovery as possible and the detectives working hard on this case get the opportunity to seek justice on his innocent behalf.