Media release
20 February 2007

Politicians Urged to Put Children’s Safety First

The Families Commission is urging politicians to make the safety of New Zealand’s children their priority when voting this week to amend Section 59 of the Crimes Act.

The amendment would prevent parents charged with assault from claiming they were using reasonable force to discipline their child.

The vote will come just a week after a UNICEF report in which New Zealand’s child safety record was rated as the worst in the developed world.

Changing this section of the Crimes Act would show that New Zealand intends to place a much higher value on the safety and wellbeing of children, said Chief Commissioner of the Families Commission, Rajen Prasad.

“New Zealand is at a tipping point where public outrage and concern at the levels of violence within families can be used to bring about social change. No form of family violence is acceptable. Removing this defence for assault on a child will encourage parents to examine the way they discipline their children. There must also be extensive public education and support for parents that encourage the use of positive parenting techniques.”

Dr Prasad says the Select Committee which proposed the new amendment had a difficult task and had worked hard to meet some of the concerns raised by the public. However, he says the Commission would like to see total repeal of Section 59.

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