Standing Up for Children - A Peaceful Protest
The Sensible Sentencing Trust (SST) applauds the work of; V.O.I.C.E Now and 4thekidz, which have set up the New Zealand
arm of the worldwide peaceful protest against child abuse.
“It’s time that Governments around the world stand up and listen to what the public want,” Nadia Crighton SST
Spokesperson for the Prevention of Child Abuse says. “Enough is enough, this is a global problem and New Zealand has
some of the worst statistics out there.”
The peaceful protest will begin at 12pm on the Saturday 5th of April in a town near you. This will occur at the same
time around the world.
“The public are crying out for tougher sentencing for those who choose to abuse the next generation of New Zealanders,”
Crighton says. “For the first time, worldwide, we can actually put our feet to the pavement and show, in unison, how we
feel towards those who continue to abuse our nations children.”
The movement is a peaceful campaign that is calling for tougher sentencing laws for those who abuse and sexually exploit
children. There is also an online global petition at www.4thekidz.org.nz/protest.html
“Get involved,” Crighton says. “I hear many times that people just don’t know what they can do about the problem, it’s
time we ripped our blinkers off and faced this issue head on. This is one way people can really make a difference and
give an innocent child a voice.”
She urges people to sign the petition and find out where you can march. “Join the world in saying that child abuse will
no longer be tolerated! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”
Communities from all over the world are currently pulling together to organise this peaceful protest. Millions are
expected to walk on the same day across the globe.
“This is not a politically driven protest,” Crighton says. “This is from the citizens of the world who are sick and
tired of the increasing cases of horrific abuse towards children, and the leniency the courts hand out to those
abusers.”
The international movement hopes that this protest will bring about change.
“I believe it’s time this became a UN problem, we are destroying countless children’s lives, the future of our world, by
standing back and not doing anything,” Crighton says. “Now is the time for serious change, but we all have to play a
part and stand up for those who have no voice.”
ENDS