Nicholson and Dunedin Student Council president Rohan O'Shea led the survey of 1300 Dunedin secondary students after schoolboy Enere McLaren-Taana's fatal stabbing earlier this year.

It aimed to see how teenagers felt about their safety in the inner city.

All but one Dunedin secondary school participated and the findings were shared with each principal. Each school may decide what to do with the findings, Nicholson says.

The survey results were also included in a Central City Safety Advisory Group report for their action.

Set up after McLaren-Taana's death, the Group members represent a cross-section of city, school, student and community leaders.

Scared and harassed

Of the 22 percent of students who answered the survey, 45 percent said they did not feel safe in the inner city. Many have to be in town to get to and from school.

The figures were significantly worse for girls: 55 percent said they did not feel safe; fewer than five percent said they do feel safe.

Cat-calling and verbal harassment were commonly cited and significant threats of assault, advances and harassment were reported.

The survey included space for long-form answers. Testimonies from teenage girls spoke of sexual assaults and harassment at the bus hub and in the inner city.

Many commented that drug and alcohol use in the area was a significant problem.

Many also said they felt angry, abandoned and did not believe anyone cared.

Police engagement

The survey found that threatening behaviour, sexual assault and harassment towards young women is largely unreported to police, says Police Otago Coastal area prevention manager Sam Ramsay.

"We know it can be incredibly hard and at times distressing ... but we would like to reassure any victims of sexual offending we have a dedicated team of officers and detectives who focus on this area."

Police take any report of sexual harassment or violence seriously, he stresses.

Since McLaren-Taana's death police have developed a more visible presence especially around the bus hub, in addition to their established inner-city team.

Part of that work involves strongly encouraging people to report violent incidents and threats to police.

Where to from here

Anyone who has been made to feel uncomfortable in a situation with others should report it or discuss it with someone they trust who can offer help, says Nicholson.

She understands reliving experiences and talking to the police can be difficult.

"It's always going to be difficult, but there are other ways for them to speak out, such as to school counsellors, to deans or to a trusted teacher."

Listening to students important

Nicholson is impressed with the 22 percent student response rate to the survey.

"But more opportunities to listen to student opinion are needed.

"I think it also indicates that maybe we don't ask our young people enough about what their opinions and views on things are.

"It's very easy for adults to surmise or assume positions of students.

"It's just a good reminder to us to listen and give ... them a forum to speak openly where there's no judgement."

Source

• ODT
• ODT

Agencies offering information and help include:

• NZ Police - Dial 111
• Victim Support
• Safe to Talk
• Rape Prevention Education
• Te Ohaakii a Hine - National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together

The assault followed "an altercation between the victim and offender" at a city bus hub.

Police recovered a knife from the scene.

Loss and sorrow

Many people are hurting. Prayers have been said. Support offered.

Manawhenua held a blessing at the hub on Friday. Many attended with flowers and tributes.

Trinity Catholic College principal Kate Nicholson says the school's hearts "go out to McLaren-Taana's whanau who are going through this terrible loss".

She spoke of the school's devastating sorrow. McLaren-Taana was so young, full of energy and promise.

"We are a strong, united school community and we will wrap our love, care and support around those in our college who need it at this time."

McLaren-Taana was also a former King's High School pupil. Like Trinity Catholic College, the school community met his death with shock, sadness and devastation.

The popular sportsman's teammates called off their high school rugby game on Saturday in his memory.

Dunedin's mayor called for a "community-wide" response.

Jules Radich says he wants key parties - police, schools, the council and bus operators to work together on a "wider community response" to safety at the hub and the public transport network.

Murder charge

McLaren-Taana's alleged killer is only 13. He's has appeared in the Youth Court, charged with murder.

The judge remanded him until June 11 to appear in the High Court for bail proceedings.

Police won't say if he and McLaren-Taana knew each other.

Investigators are still trying to determine what led to the attack, says Otago Coastal Area Commander Inspector Marty Gray.

Violence normal

McLaren-Taana's murder occurred about 50 metres from the Dunedin Central Police Station.

An unnamed pupil told reporters that violence at the bus hub after school is a normal occurrence. He says he recently witnessed a pre-arranged fight at the hub.

"It's not the best place to be. There's always people threatening each other and fighting each other."

There is rising concern about violence in the area. Dunedin Student Council presidents Rohan O'Shea and Alice Johnston commented - "The safety of the bus hub has long been an issue we have raised with NZ Police and local government, without substantive measures taken - we need action now" they say.

Gray is aware antisocial behaviour is an issue at the bus hub. "And our staff have been working closely with Dunedin City Council, Otago Regional Council, the Education Department, iwi and other partners to suppress some of that activity."

He said extra CCTV cameras have been installed in the area.

Source

• NewsHub
• ODT
• Star News
• RNZ
• ODT
• NZ Herald

Chris Cahill told Breakfast: "It's a really significant issue. I just got a briefing from front line cops in Christchurch yesterday, and I've been around police a long time but the stories I'm hearing are really shocking me.

"These are offenders as young as 12 and 13, and they're just showing absolutely no care for the public.

"They're driving around, deliberately trying to knock people off their bikes at high speed in vehicles, they're throwing objects out of stolen vehicles at them, they're ramming police deliberately.

"Police are really struggling to deal with this recidivist group of most serious offenders." Read more

Police have spoken to the person responsible. Area Commander for Auckland East Inspector Jim Wilson said the person was "extremely remorseful" for what occurred.

He also said that police have wound down their presence in the area but we will continue to liaise with the school as inquiries continue.

Details of the concerning situation are not publicly available.

It is understood the threat was made to two people connected to the school. The public was not involved.

Parents were informed of the social media threat via text and email.

"The police have advised that, given the nature of the anonymous threat, we err on the side of caution and close the school for the day until their investigations are completed," the email read.

A college spokeswoman said boys had been asked to stay home. If they had already arrived at school, they were told to return home.

A statement is expected to be made to the school community when more is known.

Patrick Walsh, the headmaster of Sacred Heart College, confirmed that police had completed their investigation and that on Thursday the school will return to normal.

In a message to the school community, Walsh thanked them for their patience and quick response.

Source

• 1News
• News TalkZB
• NZ Herald

The funeral was for gang member Taranaki Fuimaono, 43, who died in police custody and was facing drug charges.

The massive gathering forced authorities to cordon off parts of Grey Lynn, a central suburb, and divert buses from the area "as a precaution to ensure the safety of members of the public in the area".

While most people behaved within the road rules, Auckland's Inspector Jacqui Whittaker says camera footage led to 16 drivers being held accountable.

The charges include antisocial behaviour driving while disqualified, driving while forbidden and sustained loss of traction.

All 16 are due to appear in various Auckland area District Courts in the coming weeks.

Whittaker thanked members of the public who came forward with information and footage for their assistance in the investigation.

Intervening on the day of the funeral procession would have put other road users at risk, she added.

"Police decision making when it comes to these types of events will always be about community safety. The driving behaviours of some presented a real risk to those involved, as well as other road users, and will not be tolerated.

"If you choose to put other motorists at risk through dangerous driving activity, such as sustained loss of traction, you can expect the police to hold you to account and your vehicle may be impounded."

As these matters are before the court, police are not in a position to comment further.

A day following the funeral Auckland District Commander Superintendent Karyn Malthus spoke with Checkpoint's Lisa Owen saying that "From our point of view, the [funeral] procession went relatively well.

"Yes, there were roads blocked off and we did have to employ traffic management plans, but our aim, as always, is to ensure that everyone on the roads is safe and is kept safe.

"And that's what we feel that we were able to achieve today".

Source

• Stuff
• NewsHub
• Image: NewsHub