Abdication of care

Two similar stories, two very different outcomes. In one, a teenager is bullied and humiliated by pupils at her school, and the bullying is reported by fellow students.

In the other, more horrifying, appalling physical, mental and psychological abuse was perpetuated by a despotic ruler in her physical home, with the collusion of her mother. No neighbours or teachers, who were well aware of the situation, intervened.

‘‘Society’’ often denigrates the younger generation for various perceived negative behaviours or actions, but in these cases, it was the younger generation that saw a need to do something, and did it.

Those in the situation described in Teenage girl survives five years of abuse apparently were all adults who could’ve and should’ve done something, like maybe call police or the Ministry of Social Development, and didn’t.

Then one of these adults had the cheek to get emotional about their child/ren’s distress at hearing it all happen within earshot. What kind of example does this give those children?

The whole awful experience shows that despite all the gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands occasioned by any of the dozen similar cases that have occurred, people still want someone else ‘‘to get involved’’ to ‘‘do something’’. Come on, Kiwis, where’s your sense of responsibility? CHRISTINE CONROY

Carterton [abridged]