Barnardos welcomes Children’s Commissioner report

“Barnardos New Zealand welcomes the report released today by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner on its survey of public attitudes to New Zealand’s child discipline law”, says Murray Edridge, Chief Executive of Barnardos New Zealand.

“The report confirms that the law is working well[1] and shows there is an increased level of support for the law, indicating more and more parents are turning towards using positive disciplinary methods”.

“Parents are obviously thinking more clearly about the law change, and are refocusing on the effect on children of even low level of violence, rather than the loss of a perceived right to apply physical discipline”, adds Mr Edridge.

“We urge the Government to await the review of the new law after June 2009 before considering any changes to the law”.

“One year on, the report indicates a somewhat mixed reaction and this reinforces the need for further public education and information about the law. We encourage the Government to invest in education to better inform the public about the law and its provisions and to encourage parents to use alternative, more positive, discipline methods”, concludes Mr Edridge.

[1] http://www.police.govt.nz/resources/2008/section-59-activity-review/

ENDS

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