Child abuse 'nark' starts Facebook page
TONY STEVENS
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The woman branded a "nark" for speaking to police about the death of Ngaruawahia baby Serenity Scott-Dinnington has started a Facebook page to help fight against child abuse in New Zealand.
Six-month-old Serenity died in Auckland's Starship Hospital last month after her life support was switched off.
Police are investigating after medical staff reported her injuries were similar to shaken baby syndrome.
Serenity's neighbour, Cherie Kurarangi Sweeney, has held a second hui to discuss child abuse after the death.
Her Facebookpage page, STOP death by abuse of our children, this morning has more than 1000 likes.
Sweeney said those at the latest meeting on Thursday decided it was time to act on the "anti-nark culture" in Ngaruawahia and remove the barriers in the way of reporting child abuse.
Sweeney was branded a "nark" by some members of the community for talking to reporters and police about Serenity's death. Her home was even tagged with the label.
"I am not the only one who has been victimised for standing up," she said.
"It was good to hear other people speaking up at the hui [about being victimised] because it means there are others who can support me."
Area Commander for Western Waikato, Inspector Paul Carpenter, represented police at the hui and said if there was an anti-nark culture, there was only a small group behind it.
"The hui sent a loud and clear message that there is plenty of support for Cherie and speaking out."
But Carpenter acknowledged there were people who might feel too intimidated to report abuse to police.
"There are always agencies and people where they can get information through - it doesn't have to be police," he said.
Stuff.nz
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