PRESS RELEASE Two year old dies during week of Teal Ribbon

South Auckland Family Violence Prevention Network SAFPN Manager is disturbed by the violent death of the two-year-old boy from Orakei on the eve of the closure of the Teal Ribbon Campaign "Choose 2 B Violence Free".

“The awareness week helps to raise the profile of community solutions to family violence and supports national campaigns like the Ministry of Social Developments “It’s Not OK” campaign, currently running on national television,”

James Joseph Ruhe Lawrence - known as JJ - of Takitimu St, Orakei, died on Monday morning, before ambulance services arrived.

A post-mortem released today showed the toddler died blunt force trauma forceful enough to severely damage his internal organs.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said investigators said four adults and three children were in the house at the time of JJ's death.

"Whanau and friends need to come forward and tell the Police all they know about what happened to JJ" says Ms Bhana.

Maori and Pacific tend to be high on the statistics for domestic violence and we believe that addressing this problem needs to come from all of us. “. In order for domestic violence to be eradicated it's the responsibility of everybody including whanau, hapu and Iwi and not just not just left to Child Youth and Family and the Police to deal with.

We would be happy to help whanau through this traumatic time with support from our member organizations who specialize in working with those who experience domestic violence.

New Zealand Family violence statistics says

- Every year about 10 children are killed in New Zealand by a member or members of their family. Let’s help change that statistic.

Co Chair of SAFPN and Manager of Te Oranga Ake, George Ngatai said "that there are many support organisations in Orakei who can help whanau and I am willing to facilitate hui to assist the Whanau, Police and CYFs to move forward".

If you need support contact our SAFVPN Safety Line on 2789266 and break this cycle today.

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