Warning: This story contains details some readers may find disturbing.
The mother of an 11-year-old girl who was viciously beaten by a group of older girls is worried the perpetrators will end up killing someone if they don't face proper consequences.
The woman and her daughter, who Newshub has agreed not to name to protect their identity, said the attack has been horrendous for the family.
The girl is one of the victims of a recent attack on King Street in Pukekohe which was filmed and put online. Police believe the attack is linked with another one outside Pukekohe North Primary School where a young girl was also beaten by a group of girls.
One of the victims of the King St attack, who is just 11 years old, told Newshub her and her friends were sitting in the town centre taking selfies when the groups of girls began yelling at them and harassing them. She said they accused her and her friends of taking photos of them, forcing them to unlock their phones to prove they weren't.
She said despite finding no pictures the girls began viciously beating them, leaving her with extensive bruising and ongoing headaches. The attack only stopped when she managed to escape and run away for help.
She told Newshub she is traumatised and terrified to leave her home. She's also having nightmares and can't sleep alone.
The girl's mother told Newshub the attack has been devastating for their entire family and she wants the perpetrators to face proper consequences.
"[We are worried] they'll just get a slap on the hand and then that's it because of their age. So we just want to try and push for something more to be done because with these girls and with that level of violence, they will end up killing someone," she said.
The family reported the attack to police but they're concerned nothing will happen and their daughter will run into them again in the small town.
"She just keeps hearing their voices and just thinks they're going to do this again to her. She's just terrified to go downtown and having nightmares. She can't relax - it's terrible. She just feels awful... she's got ongoing headaches," she said.
"She has to go to school in Pukekohe... We've actually been talking to her and we think we're going to send her to a different high school when it comes time so this is the effect that it's having on her."
The mother said she's worried if the girls don't face adequate consequences they will keep hurting other children.
"I just don't believe anything will happen to them because of their age, which is very distressing for us that they could be walking around the streets doing this to other girls and boys."
She wants them put into a juvenile detention centre so they can't hurt anyone else but is worried they will get off lightly because they're young.
The whole family is looking to get counselling because of the attack. She also revealed her horror when she first saw the video of the attack, describing it as a mother's worst nightmare.
"I was just sick. I just felt absolutely beside myself. It was not something a mother should have to see of her baby."
She's shocked such a vicious, daytime attack happened in the small town.
"We can't believe it. I grew up in this area, my husband grew up in Pukekohe. I just can't believe they were just in our little town square and that happened. We still just can't get our heads around it."
Police told Newshub they have identified the attackers involved in both videos and they are "going through the child offending process".
"Police can confirm we have identified those offenders involved in the two assault incidents circulating on social media," Counties Manukau South Area Commander Inspector Joe Hunter said.
"Due to their age, they are going through the child offending process. Given their ages we aren't in a position to comment further, however, we believe we have now identified all of those involved in these incidents."
Inspector Hunt said police want to reassure the communities the victims and their families are being supported.
"The victims in this matter were engaged when the incidents were reported last week. Police have remained in contact with the victims in the days since, with support services also being arranged after reporting.
"We are also continuing to work with the community and our partner agencies in response to this matter.
"If people are aware of other incidents, we encourage them to report them to Police by calling 105 or online via 105.police.govt.nz."
Young people who break the law in New Zealand are treated differently than adults and most have their cases seen in the Youth Court.
The youth justice system deals with children aged 10 to 13 years and youth aged 14 to 17 years.
Some 17-year-olds who have committed "less serious" offending will be dealt with through the youth justice system. However, 17-year-olds who have committed "more serious" offending will go through the adult criminal justice system.
Anyone who commits a crime after turning 18 is treated like an adult. In most cases, children who break the law under 13 years of age will only be held responsible for it if it was murder or manslaughter - although exceptions apply including if they're charged with a serious offence with a maximum penalty of jail for at least 14 years or have offended before, and the maximum penalty for their last offence was more than 10 years but less than 14 years in jail.
Children aged 14 to 17 can be formally charged and prosecuted for any offence. Serious offences like murder, manslaughter, arson, and in the case of 17 years olds "more serious" offences, are dealt with through the adult criminal courts.
For most other offences, they would go through the Youth Justice System and the offender could be:
Issued a warning or formal caution by the police;
Referred to Police Youth Aid for alternative action;
Referred to a Youth Justice Coordinator for an 'intention to charge' Family Group Conference;
Arrested and have charges laid against them in the Youth Court.
