New children’s book aims to address silence around abuse
A new children’s book is the centre of a campaign, aiming to address the silence surrounding abuse and to empower children to speak out when they feel something is wrong.
The book, The Wolf and the Hocus Pocus, was launched at Government House yesterday as part of the campaign supported by Save the Children, Life Education Trust and Women’s Refuge.
Hosted by Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, who also wrote the book’s foreword, she welcomed a group of 17 tamariki from Newtown School.
The book was read to the group by award-winning author Avril McDonald, following the story of a graduation night when some animals find their cloaks and jewels had been stolen and the forest had fallen for a scam.
Part of McDonald’s Feel Brave books – a series of “little stories about big feelings” for children aged 4 to 7 years old – the book aimed to encourage tamariki to seek out a trusted adult until they found one who listened and who would act on their behalf to keep them safe.
But it also aimed to support adults responding to children who showed the courage and bravery to speak up, McDonald said. “It’s a complex issue but it’s time to talk about it.”
Jacqui Southey, advocacy director for
Save the Children, said the book shined a positive light on children’s voices.
Few children disclosed abuse and reporting rates were low. It was a reminder that children needed to be protected but also that they knew when things did not feel right.
John O’Connell, of Life Education Trust, said the campaign’s goal was to protect tamariki by empowering them to have a voice.
Developing emotional intelligence in tamariki was important but also providing starting points for conversations that could be difficult for teachers and parents, he said.
Chief Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad said it was important to recognise the bravery of children when they spoke up and for adults to take them seriously.
“We need to maintain that trust with children and show that we will follow through and reach out for wider help if we need to.”
Clio Arathoon of Women’s Refuge said its research, policy and practice had focused on children over the past few years because they were often overlooked and a silenced group of victims.
Responding to their voices would lead to enduring safety for all young people, she said.
Minister for Children and for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour said one of the key messages was around allowing young people to acknowledge their feelings and to take the shame and stigma away from the issue.
Achmad said the event showed the power of opening up difficult conversations with tamariki through the power of storytelling.
“You could see today ... that their attention was fully captured and their eyes were bright.”
Every child had a right to be free from abuse, neglect and harm but based on research, it was clear there was a “real problem” in Aotearoa when it came to child ill treatment, she said.
“We have to collectively take ownership to address this issue.”