Press Release: 6th August 2007

From National Spokesman: Garth McVicar

D – Day for Child Abuse

Wednesday 8th August

Nia Glassie’s smiling face caught the attention of every New Zealander.

This Wednesday the whole Country will have the opportunity to show that Nia will not be just another Lillybing or James Whakaruru or one of the many children that have died from being violently abused.

Nia has become the face that symbolizes our horrific past – but on Wednesday she will also become a symbol for change and a positive future.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust, Family First NZ and For the Sake of Our Children Trust are asking Kiwis to stop whatever they are doing - to come out onto the street, outside the office or classroom, to stop their car or truck and stand outside their vehicle - and make a symbolic ‘stand’ against child abuse for three minutes at 12:12pm.

The three minutes represents the three short years of Nia’s life, and the number 12 is significant as it represents the months of the year where children are abused, neglected and killed in NZ. The three short minutes is an opportunity for each person to reflect on what each one of us can do to be part of the solution to our unacceptable rate of child abuse.

They are also requesting all radio stations to play Destiny Child’s “Stand Up For Love” during these 3 minutes. This song was the Anthem for the World Children’s Day 2005.

Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Garth McVicar said, “We can not allow little Nia’s life to be wasted and forgotten, we want to ensure Nia goes down in History as being the face that finally triggered New Zealanders to stand-up and demand justice and social reforms that will see child abusers given deterrent sentences [20 years for the death of a child] but with comprehensive social reform to put an end to child abuse.”

We want Nia to be the face of the past – but also ultimately – the catalyst that turned this country around, let us all make Wednesday a fitting tribute to Nia.

ENDS

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