The National Network of Stopping Violence Services
The National Network of Stopping Violence Services joins in the call to the Government to repeal S59 of the Crimes Act.
We are appalled that a father who beat his 8 year old son with a piece of wood was acquitted at a recent court case in
Napier. Over that past year we have been almost continually inundated with stories of violence towards children,
inflicted by parents and care givers. ‘I would have thought that people would be starting to realise that hitting
children is abusive and dangerous.’ Said Paul Prestidge, Executive Officer. ‘Some of the parents who have killed their
children were arguing that they were ‘just disciplining them’.
The National Network of Stopping Violence Services provides a range of programmes and services to families affected by
violence. One of the common justifications that men use for their violence is that it was ‘administering discipline’,
usually with a complete lack of understanding of the level of force they are inflicting, or of the impact on their
partner or child.
‘We need an unequivocal message that Violence is Not Acceptable, and will be calling on the Minister of Justice to close
this loop hole that obviously permits parents to hit their young children with sticks’ concluded Paul Prestidge
ENDS
Contact: Paul Prestidge
National Network of Stopping Violence Services
Ph 04 499 6384 / 025 529 556