CYF CANNOT MEET MINISTER’S PROMISE
New Zealand First has called on the Social Welfare Minister to explain exactly how Child Youth And Family intends to
monitor relationships between sex offenders and women with children.
Welfare spokesperson Barbara Stewart said today that in its haste to placate the public over the Jules Mikus case, CYF
had been set an impossible task that it would never be able to carry out.
“We agree that action must be taken to protect children but surely it would be better to prevent sex offenders from
entering these relationships through strict parole conditions.
“This would mean better protection for vulnerable women and their children through the justice system. It would be far
simpler to monitor offenders than relationships they might enter.
“Social workers are already under-resourced. The safety of our children is paramount. Will extra resources be made
available to monitor the relationships?” asked Mrs Stewart.