Danielle* is a survivor, born into Aotearoa's gang scene. This pain Danielle has carried since her childhood still haunts her, and she feared her children would also face a similar fate. "Anyone who thinks that it's as simple as women leaving the gang scene, I don't think they understand violent relationships, they certainly don't understand the gangs." Lawyer Tania Te Whenua believes the situation faced by Māori women and their children associated with gangs is often "impossible". "Though it may be easy for onlookers to say Māori women shouldn't get themselves in the situations, Māori women should just leave the gangs or they should not commit the crimes.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 23, 2021 22:04 UTC