The Child Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Association Australia offers our heartfelt
condolences to the families, friends and the Muslim faith community affected by the acts of
violence on people attending prayer at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. We are
deeply saddened to learn that among the injured and the dead are included children as
young as three years of age. Some families have tragically lost a parent and children.
As child psychotherapists we are well aware of how words and actions can be used to stir up
negative fantasies and feelings. Particularly about those we may perceive as a threat to us,
those we may experience as different from ourselves, those we dehumanise by labelling in
our minds as ‘other’.
We speak out against the murderous rage that lead to this tragedy. We stand in solidarity
with the parents, children, families and Muslim community who now suffer, victims of this
horrific act of hatred.
In the face of this tragedy, we will continue to insist on using the power of words and actions
in the service of compassionate understanding and of love.