THE issue of family violence has gained much publicity over the past few years.
But even though some people like to think it doesn't happen in their family or to their friends and neighbours, it is commonly accepted domestic violence is more prevalent in our community than appears on the surface.
Each
weekday, our courts deal with the fallout from these attacks - people (mainly men) lining up before the judge for beating their partners or former partners, or even children.
Often though, cases don't make the courts as men and women keep the violence and pain behind closed doors, not wanting to draw attention to what has happened.
In yesterday's edition, we touched on domestic violence in Tauranga and discovered cases had risen two-thirds in the past two years.
Last month, police responded to 259 calls for help - compared with 159 in April 2008. Sadly, police rushed to nine domestic-related callouts on Mothers Day.
Police say the rise in figures is positive because it means more people are reporting family violence.
It is likely they are right as opposed to trying to spin-doctor their statistics.
The issue has gained more prominence over the past few years with the excellent It's Not OK campaign that features on television and other media.
In past years, police had often been on their own, perhaps with one or two other agencies, in dealing with the problem. Today, they work with about 18 different agencies.
There can be no doubt police and these organisations, with government help, have made huge strides.
This community and its agencies need to keep the pressure on these thugs who beat family members. Victims need to stand up and tell someone.
In yesterday's paper, we carried the story of Brian Williams who bashed his then partner so hard she suffered multiple broken bones.
Today, we have the sickening story of a man who bashed his 8-month-old baby girl.
Can you believe it? What's wrong with him?
She's just a baby, for crying out loud.
Blair Selwyn, 21, of Maketu, attacked the child because she wouldn't stop crying.
Selwyn is, perversely, on e-bail remand but needs to go to prison for a very long time.
He is simply an animal we don't want in our community.
